Zack's tattoo,Yes my boy has a Tat!

What do you do when you turn 18 and your Zack Collie, you get a tattoo of course!

So here it is..it has multiple meanings as you can see the obvious one, there is also a song by the Newboys called "In the Hands of God" and Zack loved that song before injury, so has even more meaning now.
I'm sure I'll get mixed opinions, for the record yes I like it and its definitely Zack!

Summer Update

1st and foremost Zack turned 18 yrs. old on Monday! I officially have a adult child, Zack has proven to be able to handle adult-type problems... I'm very Proud of him.

We recently paved most of our backyard to make it wheelchair friendly, we also put in a firepit so Zack can now wheel around and enjoy hanging out with friends and family in his own back yard.

Zack is still on the wait list for a Service Dog..so more on that when we hear back.

He will start his Senior year of High School in Sept. and will continue his physical therapy (2) days a week and school on the other (3) its like putting together a puzzle when it comes to our "fall schedule" (Zack's crazy schedule plus his 3 siblings)

Also for anyone who didn't know and is on FB there is a Pray for Zack Collie!!! page I keep that updated as I can, usually most of the same info... but another way to stay updated and connected.

That's all for now..Enjoy the rest of your Summer try and stay Cool and Be Safe!

~Amber

Cook's Corner fundraiser Pics

Here we are in August already! I never posted the pics from the Chili Cook off at Cook's Corner.
As you would expect lots of delicious chili, beer and motorcycles, Fun Day!

I will post a summer update soon!

Cook's Corner Chili Cook-Off Helps Zack Collie

If you are not busy THIS Sat come out to Cook's Corner they are having their 6th annual Chili Cook Off! The chili cup samples sold the profit will go to Zack!
Saturday June 23rd 10-4pm
19152 Santiago Canyon Rd.
Trabuco Canyon
949.858.0266
Our family (including Zack) will be there serving chili! Come and say Hello!

Optimism

My son Zack has been injured 2 years today. He has shown Amazing strength in the mist of a huge life-altering tradegy, I'm very proud of him...
How could I ever forget May 31st (in 2010 it was Memorial Day) I'm at a BBQ, swim party like so many others. I notice I have a vm message, I almost ignor it. "Amber there's been a accident at the beach Zack is in the hospital you need to get to Hoag hospital right away." We drop off the 3 younger children and head (oddly calm) down to Hoag. At this point I get ahold of the boy Zack went to the beach with he says, "Amber Zack can't move."
We get to Hoag. I'm quickly ushered into a room and see my boy laying on a bed, his body un-usually still with a neck brace on, I notice there is beach sand everywhere (it will be 21-days before he gets to shower). I'm so happy to see Zack alive. He's trying to make his friend laugh.
They ask to speak to us privatly, we walk outside and around the corner where there are a couple chairs. The doctor says "Mr. & Mrs. Collie will you please sit down." I don't want to sit down, I sit at the edge of my seat. The doctor continues, "Zack has sustained a very serious injury. He has crushed his 4th vertabra in his neck, we will confirm any spinal cord damage with the MRI results." Okay, I'm thinking, what exactly does that mean? I look at Adron and he doesn't look good. The nurses and I both realize he's not well, they attend to him and give him oxygen. Once I know he's okay I look at the doctor square in the eye and say, "tell me everything and please do not sugar coat it." He didn't.

Optimism :: The belief that life will be, in the long run, more good than bad, that even when bad things happen, the good will eventually outbalance them. It's also the belief that nearly every difficulty conceals some potential benefit if only we have the skill to find it.

Memorial Weekend

Once again Memorial weekend is here. What's with this gloomy weather! That doesn't help my ever changing mood. (I need sunshine). This weekend is tough for us. Zack wants to go to the beach, but told me if we go "I can't cry" -- I don't think I'm that strong! I've tried all morning to stay positive, counting my many blessings, opportunities, new adventures, new friends and asking God once again for strength to keep moving fw... Zack was leaving for school, I asked him if I could take his picture for his 2-year anniversary. He said "mom really!?" but he humored me and let me take the photo.. what a awesome Smile! That will keep me Going!!

P.S. Yes Zack bleached his hair!

Life's Constant Ups an Downs

I haven't written in awhile partly because I haven't known what to write about. As always its constantly busy here at the Collie house regular things like Birthday parties, sick kids, homework, housecleaning, Dr. appts, therapies etc... what's different in the last few weeks is the looming date coming up (May 31st) will be Zack's 2 year mark of his injury. I cant help but feel the sadness that comes with this date. I know there are some injured people who celebrate there injury date as their "new life" but I have not been able to see it that way (for now at least) I do get that they are survivors.

Do you remember being 17? Life was hard just being a teenager let alone add in a insane injury like this one! Zack's had to deal with Adult size problems and has lost out on most of the normal teenage activities. I see friends come and go and watch people respond in all different ways to him being in a wheelchair.
I think about how Zack cannot get out of bed, change positions at night, make himself some food, dress himself, use the bathroom privately, shower himself, stand up, walk or run... I don't list these things to feel sorry for him, I list them because its amazing to me how he lives each day, unable to do these simple things for himself that you and I completely take for granted.

Hard to believe summer is around the corner (again) feels like my kids just started school! Zack will be a senior next year, God willing college after that..I can't think too far ahead about Zack's future and what it holds for any of my children, I will continue to make plans but I have learned to be flexible, enjoy the little things in life (like coffee and sunshine) spend time with family and friends, help others, make alone time even if its 5-10 minutes, Be thankful and enjoy the one CraZy Life I have been given and make it a good one.
Amber

Zack's 2nd visit back to Casa Colina

Zack went back to Casa Colina to visit a new patient (17 yr.old boy who broke his neck in Feb after diving into a pool). It's always sad to go there b/c it means someone else is paralyzed. Our hope is the visits will be somewhat encouraging. Although I know the truth and that is, that it's hard to see another person in a wheelchair, but it does show that "life goes on."

Stephanie is the girl in the photos with Zack she was injured after Zack (in a car accident, I remember hearing about her when she was at Casa). Stephanie and Zack have become good friends.

They were able to visit with there therapists and saw a few nurses that they had while they were both patients there. It also reminds us how far we have come since they were 1st injured...and yes "Life does go on."

Hope everyone had a wonderful Easter Holiday!

Blessings..Amber

St. Patty's Day fundraiser pics

The weather on St. Patty's Day was not what we had hoped for, but we ended up with a good crowd anyway.

Thank you to all who came out to support Zack in spite of the (pouring at times) rain, it meant a lot to us. It was a fun day and we learned a lot, this was our 1st fundraiser we planned (the others have been put on by friends)
Fundraising is part of this injury because of Zack's on going physical therapy that is not covered by insurance.
We did Great considering the weather..Thank you!!!

A Special Thanks to: Jen Holloway, Heidi, Cassie, Karin, Jamie, Steve Demko (T-shirts) Dan (On time signs, flyer)
Table helpers that day: Cherie, Hannah, Michelle, Cathy (mom) Maria, Angela, Kara, Chrissy
Raffle helpers: Tracy, Katie, Maggie, Josie. Guys: Levi, Rodney, Randy, Jeff & Tony

Lime Truck..Great Food!
and of course the guys at Old Orange Brewing Co.

As you can see it takes many people to make these fundraisers possible we greatly appreciate your service & support to Zack's cause.

Enjoy the photos!!