Allison's recovery

As many of you know, tragedy struck Tuesday night at the El Paso county fair. 

Allison M. Seel was at the El Paso County Fairgrounds in Calhan, CO on Tuesday evening, and in a freak accident (as there were no storms in the area, only some 5 miles out), she was struck by lightening.

The lightening current struck her head, went through her chest, and out her hand (the one that was pushing the stroller). Her heart stopped immediately.

Thank the Lord that there were people around who were able to intervene.  They provided CPR and brought her back. Paramedics were on the scene within minutes and Allison was taken directly to Memorial Main Hospital in Colorado Springs.

Her friend Kylie Jane was there pushing a stroller with her son it in, and also got some of the hit. She was taken to the hospital and checked out and while she has some burns on her arm and feels faint, the doctors are sure she'll recover well and soon.

The babies, who were potentially impacted since Allison was pushing the stroller, were sent to a different closer hospital with Charles Mayo (their grandpa), and Laura Mayo (grandma) who were also at the fair. The babies all were looked over extensively and checked out fine. They are continuing to do well.

Once at Memorial Main, Allison's injuries were assessed and they were extensive. Her head was badly burnt, and hair was singed -- they chopped of her gorgeous locks in order to suture and staple her head back up. Her glasses melted, her earrings melted into her earlobes, and she has burns all over her body. Her dress was torn in half when struck and the underwire on her bra went up into flames and melted as well.

Tuesday evening Charles was able to visit and bring the babies. Emily Eastep was able to bring Samantha Seel (Allison's step-daughter) up as well. They normally do not allow children under 12 to visit, but made an exception in this case.

Realizing the extent of her injuries were vast, Allison was sent via helicopter to Swedish Hospital in Denver, where they have a large burn unit and doctors that specialize in lightening strike cases. She is in the best of hands.

Tuesday and yesterday she was vomiting blood and bleeding from her ears (both ear drums have ruptured), but a full body CT scan turned up no significant internal injuries and her bloodwork has come back very good, which corroborates that.

She was able to eat some yesterday. 

The burns on her arm, hand, and calf are being treated, and she's getting the best in care.  They received some encouraging news from the doctors yesterday evening, so we are hopeful that she'll make a full recovery, but will have nerve damage and other issues may arise as she starts to heal.

We are so thankful that she had family and friends on-site that were able to help her immediately, friends and family there in CO that are able to watch the two babies and make sure Abby (who is special needs) gets the care she requires. We are so thankful to the team of doctors who are working around the clock to get Allison treated and on the road to getting better. And we are incredibly thankful for the outpouring of prayers, support, and generosity of our friends and family that are not able to be there in CO with Allison and the Seel family.

As we know her recovery will be long, the family is in need financially.  Allison's care will be extensive and she will be in the hospital for several weeks.  Any financial help will help with medical expenses and any
other financial burdens the family may encounter.  

Allison was in the United States Airforce and was overseas when they brought her back to the United States due to blood clots in her brain.  They found out that she also had trouble with her kidneys and was told she would be unable to have children. 

Allison and her husband, Josh, have three yound children.  After defying all odds after being told they would not be able to have kids, Allison found out she was pregnant, twice!  Their daughter was born 6 weeks early and was diagnosed with CDKL5, a disorder that causes seizures, and requires extensive care.  Their son was born 10 weeks early when she went into preterm labor.  

Josh was let go from his job because of the amount of time he took off when their children were born.  He recently had spine surgery and will require another one soon.  They are currently living with his parents in El Paso county.   

As a part of the 4-H family, Allison is loved by many and the bond between these families is like nothing else.  It is strong and it is unique.  Let's help this family overcome such a terrible tragedy.
 
“The only rock I know that stays steady, the only institution I know that works, is the family.” – Lee Iacocca