Wednesday, January 30, 2013

Something Has gone wrong with the Chipin page, it seems all has been lost at the moment! I am saddened because the monies that have been raised isn't there anymore. Not sure If I was hacked.. : (

Tuesday, January 22, 2013

Everyday Miracles and Sweet & Sour Pork

January 16th, 2013 was Everett's 17th Birthday!

I was so happy that he made it; 7 months ago I wasn't sure if we would make it to this day. We celebrated his birthday at our favorite place - PF Changs. A bit pricy, but thats why we only have celebratory dinners there.

I was overjoyed that Everett remembered our favorite spot and the good food, he even recognized his favorite dish on the menu, sweet and sour pork!

We are eternally hopeful and appreciate all of your support and donations.

Wednesday, January 16, 2013

Everett's story shared and Retweeted on Twitter!

We are so thrilled that so many people are sharing Everett's story on social media. Please spread the word, we can use all the help you can muster. Click to see Who's Talking about Everett Zamarron on Twitter
 
World-famous artist David Garibaldi Retweeted:

Food Network Celebrity Robert Irvine Retweeted:
More coming soon! Keep sharing and thank you for your donations.
Hello Everyone. On January 15, 2013 The San Jose Mercury news published Everett's story online at www.mercurynews.com! So If any of you are interested you can see his story online right now. 

Everyone be safe and wear a Helmet! Protect those precious noggins!


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Gilroy teen's traumatic brain injury affects entire family


January 15, 2013
San Jose Mercury News
Mark Emmons

Help EverettThe arrival of the new year hasn't been easy for Everett Zamarron-Smith. At first, the Gilroy teenager kept pointing at the "2013" date on a calendar in his home, confused and upset.

"He couldn't understand where the time went," said Delva Zamarron, his mother. "So we had to replay everything for him. 'You had an accident. You hit your head. You had brain damage.' He just kept saying, 'No, no, no, no!' "

Everything stopped for Everett on June 5 when he fell from his skateboard on a steep street, violently slamming his head. Everett, who turns 17 on Wednesday 1/16, wasn't wearing a helmet and suffered a traumatic brain injury. Seven months later, he continues to have severe memory loss and is relearning such basic functions as walking.

... Read more at the link below.

Read full article by Mark Emmons on San Jose Mercury website: http://www.mercurynews.com/bay-area-news/ci_22370885/gilroy-teens-traumatic-brain-injury-affects-entire-family?IADID=Search-www.mercurynews.com-www.mercurynews.com
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Donate today to Everett's foundation at the link in the top right side.

Thank you and God bless!

Tuesday, January 8, 2013

The Day Our Lives Came Crashing Down

Standing at the scene not knowing what to do I snapped a photo with my phone, this was proof that I was indeed awake. The Helicopter that took my son away.

I'll never forget this day. I stood there a limp noodle waiting for my dad to come and get me, I was in no condition to drive. The oddest things really do go through your mind during terrible situations.. all I could think about was the cost of the helicopter and how adorable the Firemen were! Another terrible thought how much is this going to cost and I forgot to renew Cal-Star!!  Word of advise pay for Cal-Star insurance $45.00 a year for your family is well worth it..the bill for Cal-Star, $37,500. I could have bought a a new car or put a down payment on a condo or something! I just laughed out loud when I got the bill!!

This is my Everett one year ago on his 16th Birthday, this is the image forever imbedded in my head six months later on June 5th when I got to the hospital. I couldn't believe I was standing there in the PICU (pediatric Intensive care unit) at Santa Clara Valley Medical looking down on my son in a coma. There were several IV's going into his body including a breathing tube and a CT collar to keep his neck from moving incase it were broken.
Although Ev was in a coma his body began to move in a stressful violent way, it was as if he were fighting something in a dream. The problem was there was pressure building in his brain and his body was involuntarily moving due to blood and fluid building in his skull and putting pressure on his brain. Ev is big & strong boy standing at the time 5'11 and 225 lbs, the Dr's & nurses were having a difficult time holding him down. It was difficult to watch, I began talking to him to try and calm him down not knowing if he could hear me.

Nothing in the world can ever prepare you for an emergency. On the way to the Hospital I was praying and making peace with God, I knew there would be decisions to make as soon as I got the hospital. I was prepared to let him go if he needed to go home to heaven. I was prepared to stay by his side if he was to live in a difficult life situation.

The prognosis was live, and it was decision time. The first 24 hrs are the most difficult. I was shuffled into the "family room," while my family arrived, and the Dr's and nurses could do what they needed to do. My daughter mother and some friends came. My dad was there to keep me comfort while the rest of  my family and extended family came. I still felt so alone and scarred. I am not the emotional type so falling down and crying was not my thing, my mother was doing enough crying for all of us. My daughter was very emotional she didn't know what to think or what to do. I knew that things were being handled there was a team 10 dr's and nurses I knew he was in good hands.

Everett's realization of the new year

The New Year didn't start off well for Ev. We keep a calendar in the bathroom to remind us of the date and things we need to do for the day. Everett kept looking at calendar & became upset. He noticed the year had changed and it really upset him. He's realized that he has lost a lot of time and doesn't know where the time went!

I tried to explain to him that he had an accident & that he had been in a coma and spent 4 months in the Hospital. I could see him thinking & becoming more upset at me and the world. Where had the time gone and why can't he remember anything! He points to himself because he is in his wheelchair, and touches his head because it hurts and their are fragments of bone that is missing in his skull. 

"Why?" he asks. "Why. What happened?" I go through the pain of having to explain the entire ordeal as it plays out in head. That day will never be erased from my mind. It's as if it happened yesterday & Keep praying that we wake from this horrific nightmare and life will go back to the way it was.

Having a traumatic brain injury is like a personal death to ones self. You find yourself not having any control over any situation. Ev is going through different stages of anger like a person would after losing a loved one to death. He is in mourning. He mourns for his life and memory back.
I can understand what he's going through, and I can't imagine going through the pain he goes through on a daily basis. He remembers us by images that pop into his head, he doesn't always remember who we are by name but he knows our faces, I take comfort that he knows me, but saddens when me when he asks who I am