A Tristar Student could use your help!

Dear Tristar Students, families and friends, Recently one of our Tristar Students, Zachary Gallagher, who is a Black Belt at the Eldersburg Dojo and represents all 3 schools on the Tristar Demo Team, suffered an accident and he and his family need our help. Zachary, who is only 14 years old, had a sledding accident January 12th and is still recovering from his injuries. The right side of his brain is bruised and he has a temporal fracture in his head/face area. He is not able to talk and probably won't be able to for 3 months (he communicates by writing). At this point he is not even able to use a spoon without severe pain. Everything he eats has to be liquid or in some kind of drinkable form. Due to his brain trauma, he cannot read for long periods of time. So far, around 5 minutes is his limit before he has severe pain with it. Watching TV is also very limited. Bright lights and loud noises also bring him pain and discomfort. The family was told by two of the doctors that if he does not stay still and listen to the instructions they gave him or if he falls, gets jarred or hit by anything that the consequences could be life threatening. At the moment, they expect him to fully recover but it is going to be a slow and painful process for him. Zachary does not have medical insurance and the medical bills are really starting to pile up. The families at Tristar have, for many years, rallied around and supported many people who have needed our help within our schools and out in the community. In fact, I have never been less than amazed at what Tristar students, friends and families will do. You are the most wonderful people that I have been around. We are going to be doing what we can to help raise funds for the Gallagher family through the Dojo's. We are going to start by placing a donation jar at each of the schools. If you are able and would like to help, any donation would be wonderful. Please keep an eye out over the following months as we try to help and put a dent into the very expensive medical treatment that Zachary is receiving.

Thank you for all your support, Shidoshi and Mrs. Thompson PS - Any checks should be made out to Tracey Gallagher - Zach's mom