CAZENOVIA — Earlier this month, a GoFundMe campaign was launched in support of Cazenovia High School (CHS) graduate Audrey Ekstrom and her husband, Eric, who recently suffered an accident that has left him unable to move or feel anything from his neck down.
Ekstrom, whose maiden name is Glathar, graduated from CHS in 2010 and now lives with her husband in Rochester, NY.
On July 13, while on a trip in Ocean City, Maryland, Eric was struck by a wave while getting out of the water and lost consciousness. He was airlifted to the Shock Trauma Center at the University of Maryland, where it was determined that he had suffered a severe neck and spinal injury.
The Ekstroms are currently expecting their first child, a son.
Ekstrom is seven months along and has been diagnosed with a condition that makes her pregnancy high-risk.
According to the GoFundMe page, she is scheduled to be checked into the hospital on Aug. 1 so her medical team can monitor her and the baby before she delivers via Cesarean section. Post-delivery, the baby will likely be in the neonatal intensive care unit for at least a couple of weeks.
Upon learning of her husband’s accident, Ekstrom flew to Maryland with the support and guidance of her obstetrician and spent the next day in the hospital waiting room as Eric underwent a 12-hour surgery to decompress and stabilize his spine. He is expected to remain hospitalized for at least a few more weeks, after which he will require extensive inpatient rehabilitation.
“Both Audrey and Eric’s medical conditions will leave them with an overwhelming amount of medical bills,” said Ekstrom’s friend and former CHS classmate, Ellie Ivers, née Buckhout. “Additionally, Audrey is an oncology nurse and Eric is a beloved history teacher; they will both be out of work for an extended period of time, leaving life expenses to pile up.”
The GoFundMe campaign was launched on July 15 to help ease the financial burden on the soon-to-be parents.
“Those of us who are fortunate enough to know and love Eric and Audrey know that they are two of the kindest, most selfless people to have ever lived,” the fundraiser description states. “Eric [sparks] his students’ interest with his fun-loving charisma and wit. To know Eric is to instantly feel at home in his presence. He is the most welcoming person you will ever meet.”
On July 23, Eric was transferred to a hospital in Rochester to enable Ekstrom to continue her plan to give birth with her medical team there.
“We are so incredibly grateful for all the support we have received thus far,” said Ekstrom’s sister Kate Lynch, née Glathar, on July 25. “The monetary donations and outpouring of thoughts and prayers have been overwhelming and have helped keep everyone’s spirits afloat during this very challenging time. Eric’s neck and spine injuries are quite severe; however, we are keeping the faith alive and reminding ourselves daily that if anyone is going to overcome this horrible tragedy, it will be the two of them. Eric is strong and determined, and there is no better person to have by his side than my sister. I’m sure their baby boy will be even greater motivation to keep fighting for recovery. As a nurse, my sister understands better than most the financial toll that this type of injury is likely to have on their family. Some of the expenses they’re currently facing include adequate housing and rehabilitation and technology to best enhance Eric’s quality of life.”
On July 25, Ekstrom’s friends and former CHS classmates Hannah Polsin and Kaleigh Lembo, née Gitzen, had the opportunity to visit the couple in Rochester.
In an update on the situation, Polsin, who is one of the GoFundMe organizers, reported that Eric will likely need to relocate again.
“The decision to transport him back to Rochester was in hopes that Audrey and Eric could stay together while she is in the hospital having her baby,” Polsin said. “. . . With all this going on, the hope was to have all the support of family and loved ones close by, but it’s looking like he will need to be transported again to a facility that handles spine and neck injuries better. With having to move him again, it’s looking like insurance won’t cover it, sadly. . . With all this said, we are still very hopeful that Eric will hold his baby one day. He had a big smile when we came into the room to visit. His spirit is strong, and we want to make sure we continue to support both Audrey and Eric during this difficult time.”
As of July 27, Eric’s condition had unfortunately not changed, according to Polsin.
The Ekstroms’ family and friends continue to seek monetary donations through the GoFundMe page. They are also requesting that people share encouraging and positive messages with the couple via the email address [email protected].
According to Polsin, Mary Namy, née Reizun, another 2010 CHS graduate, has been mailing the letters received through the Gmail account to the Ekstroms, and Ivers has been actively working behind the scenes as well to support them and raise awareness of their difficult situation.
A fundraiser will be held in Rochester on Aug. 17 from 5 to 10 p.m. at Fairport Brewing Company. The event will include a silent auction and raffles, live music by Power Pop Syndicate, food from the Verno On The Roll food truck, and adult beverages from the brewery. For more information, visit the “Embrace Eric! benefit for Eric Ekstrom and his family” Facebook page.
Donations for the silent auction and raffles are welcome and appreciated.
“Those in the Cazenovia community who know Audrey know that she is one of the most selfless, kindest people you will ever meet,” said Lynch. “She found her match in Eric. The two of them have given so much to their communities over the years, and we are hopeful that people will continue to come out and support them.”
To donate to the Ekstrom family and stay up to date on their situation, visit gofundme.com/f/eric-and-audrey-ekstrom.
