Help Valerie Heal After Hot Air Balloon Tragedy

Dear Friends and Compassionate Hearts,

We write to you today as parents with troubled but grateful hearts. Just two weeks ago, our 23-year-old daughter Valerie, her dear friend Atahan, and others, boarded a hot air balloon in the desert near Eloy, Arizona. We’re sure it was cold that morning, and that Valerie was excited. We can picture her there; smiling, laughing nervously, and probably cracking some jokes. In our minds, we can hear the little exclamation she always made when something filled her with wonder or excitement, as they lifted off the ground. This was her first time riding in a hot air balloon.

We don't know for sure yet what went wrong. But at some point, there was a catastrophic failure, and the balloon began to quickly descend uncontrollably. In this heart-wrenching incident, four lives were lost, and Valerie has emerged as the sole survivor. Our hearts ache for the families who have lost their loved ones, and our thoughts are with them every day. Unfortunately, we know all too well the grief those families are feeling.

For those who don’t know our family, it was less than two years ago when our family endured another tragedy—the loss of our son, Valerie's brother Ian. In those dark times, even in her own grief, Valerie's resilience and wisdom kept our tight little family on a path of healing.

Now, as we are still grieving that loss, our Valerie lies in a bed in a trauma hospital, her future very uncertain.

Valerie's injuries are extensive. She has many broken bones and has already undergone many surgeries to repair them with possibly more to come. We are grateful to the trauma team, skilled surgeons, flight paramedics, and kind nurses that have cared for, and are continuing to care for Valerie. Her bones will eventually heal, but her ability to walk and otherwise move is uncertain.

Perhaps the greatest challenge she faces, though, is the traumatic brain injury she suffered, the full long-term effects of which also remain uncertain. She currently cannot speak to us. What we do know is that Valerie has a very long road of rehabilitation and care ahead.

Friends, we are so grateful for the outpouring of support we have received from all of you. The main question we receive from you all is "What can we do?"

While insurance covers her immediate medical expenses, the long road to rehabilitation and care looms before us, both financially and emotionally.

After so many inquiries, and encouragement to do so, we wanted to give all of you an avenue to help Valerie directly. So after much thought, we decided to start this campaign. The net proceeds of this campaign will go directly towards Valerie's ongoing rehabilitation and care, which she will probably need for a very long time. This will have a real, direct impact on Valerie's life and recovery.

Those of you that know her know that Valerie would be the one helping others and the last one to accept help for herself. She is so independent and strong-willed. But this horrible situation is one where Valerie will need all the help she can get.

Valerie is an extraordinary soul. She is kind-hearted, empathetic, witty, responsible, and creative. She helps clear her own table at restaurants to lighten the staff's load. She used her extensive woodworking skills to build a sturdy wheelchair ramp for her grandmother. She recently adopted a little kitten that needed a forever home. She makes beautiful, useful, wooden objects as well as fun and whimsical wood carvings.

As a woodworking instructor at a local Phoenix maker space called The Phoenix Forge, she passionately shares her love of the craft.

Valerie is also a minimalist, cherishing experiences over material possessions. She loves being outside, finding peace in the embrace of nature and exploring her fascination with trees and forests. She likes to live simply and enjoys the simple pleasures in life. She has taught us, her parents, so much about living a good and peaceful life.

The world could use a lot more people like Valerie.

We realize the goal we have set for this campaign is a substantial one. Since Val is just beginning her recovery, we can't know yet the level of care she will need moving forward. We are hoping for the best but planning for the worst. Come what may, reaching this goal will make a meaningful difference for Valerie, even though the true extent of the funds that will be needed is still unfolding.

By contributing to this campaign, you are becoming part of Valerie's healing journey. We hope that it will be as miraculous as the fact that she is still here with us at all.

Please share her story to help us meet our goal.

With heartfelt gratitude,

Tony and Martha Stutterheim

Note: Due to Valerie’s situation, we, her parents, have set up an account specifically for these funds and will use them solely for her ongoing care.