This young man is the son of one of the Boy Scouts of America executives in our area. As you would expect, he was raised to enjoy the Scouting program and all it has to offer. He is an Eagle Scout, which is earned by approximately 4% of all Boy Scouts. Not only that, he did what few Eagle Scouts do: he went above and beyond to earn what is called the Bronze, Gold, and Silver Palms, which are awards beyond the Eagle Scout Rank. So, he has taken many First Aid courses along the way.
Zerin was also trained in the capacity of a Lifeguard for his summer job at his hometown's local water park.
As soon as Elder Petersen landed on his neck, he tried to get up. He immediately collapsed and realized that he had a spinal cord injury. Would he have known that without the training that he had received? Likely he would have not. He called out to the other missionaries that were present and rushing to his aid and said "I have a spinal injury. Don't touch me!" Clear thinking by this amazing young man likely saved his life and himself from further injury.
My husband, upon receiving a call about the accident, rushed out to the Boy Scout camp where his parents, Chris and Mari-Beth Petersen, and his brother, Javan, work during the summer, to deliver the horrifying news. With a heavy heart he told the shocked parents the information he had been given. Elder Petersen's parents rushed home, packed, and flew out to Denver early the next morning.
A little information about this young man's parents: Chris Petersen works as the regional executive of the BSA in our area. There are young men throughout the Northwest and the state of Alaska that have, with the support of his wife, Mari-Beth, been affected by the work that he does. Chris has touched the lives of literally thousands of young men and helped them grow into knowledgeable, hardworking, and productive young men. He works long hours during nine months of the year, and in the summers he lives -in a small, dusty cabin- at Boy Scout camp, and directs the activities that occur there. As his children have grown, they and his wife have joined him to work there during the summers as well. He is also known as "Abe", and if you have ever met him, you would know exactly why.
Zerin worked summers there at Camp Easton with his father, and became, according to Tim McCandless, Scout Executive & CEO, one of their top staff members "whom we counted on to lead and positively influence other staff members. His specialty was sailing instruction, and hundreds of young people in the Eastern United States learned to sail with his training". High praises from a well respected Boy Scout official.
The members, missionaries, and the mission Presidency of the Colorado Springs mission and the Denver area have pulled together to coordinate housing, transportation, and everything else that the Petersen's might be in need of during their stay. This may seem a miracle in itself, but to members of the Church and the people that care about the Petersen's and the LDS missionaries, this is the way we look after and take care of each other. We are blessed to be a part of a loving ward (our local congregation), and to be members of a church that considers one another to be brothers and sisters; quite literally, a family.
Another amazing detail -
The Denver/Colorado Springs area is home of the Swedish Medical Center, a Level One trauma center and ranks among the top Neuroscience programs. It is also designated as a Neuroscience Center of Excellence (COE). One of the world's best neurosurgeons operated on Elder Petersen.
Adjacent to the hospital is the Craig Hospital, which is an internationally known leader of spinal cord and brain injury rehabilitation.
***All of our prayers are needed for him to be accepted into the rehab program at Craig Hospital.*** There is no better place for him to be in the country, and quite possibly the world, for him to get the care that he now needs.
His recovery will take some time. There has been trauma to his spinal cord, and the swelling to the spinal cord from the injury and the surgery to repair the vertebrae (C4) is the most critical factor right now. Four to five months has been suggested for his stay in Colorado for physical therapy. His progress so far - He has some sensation in his hands, and can lift one arm a bit, and twitch the other. He feels soreness and some pain in his back, and in this situation, feeling pain is good.
His mission President said when he visited Zerin, that Zerin told him to "bring my shoes and pants - I am going to walk out of here." He also stated: "Zerin's smile and positive approach have been an inspiration to those visiting him. They come to lift his spirits and he raises their spirits".
Zerin has never mentioned sadness or grief about his situation.
There has been an outpouring of people wanting to help. Their home needs some work that they have not had the time nor money to do, so suggestions of ways that you can help will be posted here. Modifications will likely be needed to make their home wheelchair accessible. We have faith and hope that this need will be temporary.
This blog will be a journal of his progress. We all have faith in the possibility of a full recovery, and leave in the Lord's hands the outcome of this young man's journey.
Our prayers are with him, every step of the way.
We hope yours will be, too
Thank you
The members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints
Lakeland 2nd Ward Rathdrum, Idaho
The Presidency of the Colorado Springs Mission,and the missionaries serving there
