Thursday, December 27, 2012

St. Mary’s School of Los Gatos Raises $1,200 for Skateboarder Who Sustained Head Injury

Press Release recently written:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
St. Mary’s School of Los Gatos Raises $1,200 for Skateboarder Who Sustained Head Injury

LOS GATOS, CALIF. – December 20, 2012

Contact: Sister Nicki Thomas, President, St. Mary's School, 408-354-3944

Receiving a brain injury diagnosis after a car accident, birth injury or other traumatic event is devastating. Both the injured person and his or her family have many questions and the future can seem very uncertain. The community of St. Mary’s experienced this first-hand when one of their students, Charlie Laurencio, sustained a brain-injury while skateboarding in June of 2012. Fortunately, the road of recovery for Charlie has been remarkable. While in the hospital, Charlie’s family forged a strong bond with Delva Zamarron, the mother of a brain-injury patient, Everett.  

Everett’s recovery is more extensive than that of Charlie’s and is marked with great accomplishments and difficult set-backs. When the 8th Grade Class at St. Mary’s was considering recipients for their Halloween carnival fundraiser, they naturally turned to an experience that was close at heart for many of the students. Without hesitation they donated their proceeds, $1200, to Everett’s recovery needs.  Everett was able to visit St. Mary’s in person, where the check was presented to him.


A brain injury happens to someone in the United States once every 23 seconds - that's more than 1.5 million people every year. More than 2 percent of Americans live with disabilities caused by brain and head injuries.

Thursday, December 20, 2012

The Battle of Safety vs. "Coolness"

We all know that trying to talk sense into our kids is an uphill battle, but when it comes to their safety, you'll do anything.

Please talk to your kids about the importance of wearing a helmet while they skateboard, rollerskate or ride bikes. "Coolness" is always a concern with them, but I can tell you first-hand about the dangers of letting them go without one.

Here's an excerpt of the law regarding the responsibilities of wearing and enforcing helmet usage at public places such as skateparks and public riding facilities:

Skateboarding is a popular recreational activity. There are certain risks and dangers involved in skateboarding and roller skating activities, including skating itself, riding, assisting, and observing.

Property owners have been reluctant or failed to make property available for skateboarding and roller skating activities because of the inherent risks in the activity, the exposure to liability, and the prohibitive cost of insurance, if insurance can be obtained for the activities. The recreational sports of skateboarding and roller skating are a wholesome and healthy family activity that should be encouraged. The allocation of risks and costs of skateboarding and roller skating activities is an important matter of public policy.

Skateboarding is regulated by state and local laws, which vary by location. For example, one state prohibits skateboarding in the streets and a city within that state further specifies that skateboarding is allowed only from a half-hour after dawn to a half-hour before dusk on sidewalks in residential districts and is off-limits altogether in commercial corridors. Local laws should be consulted for specific requirements in your area. ... 

Read full text here: Skateboarding Helmet Laws

Thank you for your attention to this important subject and if you have been touched by an injury like Everett's I'd love to hear from you for support and resources.

Wednesday, December 19, 2012

Everett's Physical Rehab and Progress


 Everett is working hard on a weekly basis at Physical Therapy, Occupational therapy and speech therapy. Soon, he will be walking and talking and be independent, I pray for that day to come soon!

In the mean time I stretch him and work with him daily to keep his muscles from tightening up.

Some days are really exhausting helping Everett to-and-from the bathroom in the middle of night.

I know in the end it will all be worth it for his new beginning in life!

To donate, please click the ChipIn Secure payment banner to the top right, or click this PayPal link: Everett's Future on PayPal

Thank you again for your prayers, support and encouragement.

The Story of Everett Zamarron's Brain Injury

On June 5, 2012 My son Everett was Long boarding with his friend on a steep hill, Everett fell and landed on the left side of his head that left him in a coma for 25 days.

Our lives were turned upside down just like that. While making dinner at 6:30 pm on June 5th I received a frantic phone call from my son's friend, Jarod, screaming and crying and saying, "He won't wake up, I counted to 60 and he wont wake up!" I'm freaking out I don't know what he means, then he says," I already called 911" still not sure I'm screaming what happened where are you? He tells me they were up on Mantelli Drive - a residential area in Gilroy, CA - on top of a very steep hill! Now I'm upset because they weren't suppose to be up there!

I raced over across town to the area where he said they were. The ambulance had already transported him the bottom of the hill where the helicopter was waiting. I quickly turned around as I see cars and kids running to the elementary school where the helicopter had landed; as I turn the corner it was like a scene from a movie. A large crowd of adults and kids, police ambulances, fire trucks and in a distance a helicopter. I parked and jumped out of my car and race towards the ambulance, my son is no where in sight. The wind is blowing strong from the helicopter, just then the back of the ambulance doors fly open my son is strapped to the gurney half naked, only his underwear on. Everything is now in slow motion. A fireman turns my way and quickly stops me, asking are you his mother? My body went limp I can't believe this is happening it feels like a dream and a nightmare all at once.
My son has spinal & neck collar on, and a few IV's attached to him, he lies there lifeless, his friend is nowhere to be found.
The paramedics tell me to talk to him and. I tell Everett, I love you and we'll get through this, I'll see you at the hospital. They swiftly take him away and off they go in the helicopter. I stand there in disbelief, while the crown stares at me while they disburse back into their homes. I'm standing there alone my nerves are shot and my life just came crashing down.

Everett lay in a coma for 25 long days, the worst days of my life not knowing if he would wake up and not knowing how much brain damage he sustained.

Everett was in the Hospital for 4months, he had 4 surgeries during his stay at Valley Medical Hospital, where he continues his physical, occupational and speech therapy.
Everett has many needs and long road to recovery.

Everett sustained a traumatic brain injury to left side of his brain. He does not have mobility to right side of is body. In time with therapy he may regain his mobility, and it will take time.

Everett needs a special wheelchair to help him and it is very expensive at $3,500. I cannot afford it. I only work part time and do not have health insurance. I had to take leave from my job to care for Everett because I cannot afford to hire anyone to care for Ev. We also had to purchase a ramp so we could get Everett in and out of the house that too has left me with a very expensive bill.

Everett will have many doctor appointments, therapy, and other specialty medical items in his future in order to get him well again. We also live 30 miles away from the Hospital rehab center and many expenses.

I hope that you find it in your heart to donate to Everett's cause. Please click the banner at the top right side.

Sincerely,

Delva Z.