Support following teen’s accident has been ‘amazing’
By Heather Ruenz
Staff Writer
The reason the Schweitzer family decided to share their story about a traumatic brain injury suffered by their son is twofold: one, to raise awareness about TBIs; the other, to publicly thank the countless number of people who have stepped forward.
Lane Schweitzer, 13, was in gym class at Elkhorn Middle School the morning of Oct. 25 and did what many kids would have done – ran to catch a ball. But because Lane was watching the ball he didn’t realize how close he was to the bleachers and ran into them head first.
“He hit his right frontal lobe. The initial diagnosis was a concussion but after two weeks, he still didn’t know his name or other people and he couldn’t dress himself,” Lane’s mom, Judy Schweitzer, said.
Lane, who lives with his mom, dad Chad, and sister Cheyenne near Whitewater, was eventually diagnosed with a traumatic brain injury. He returned to school only a few weeks ago in an Individualized Education Program.
“He lost his long-term memory, he still doesn’t know all of the kids at school and he had to relearn how to shower. He’s in the process of relearning how to do chores,” Judy said.
Offers for help immediately started pouring in, Judy said, but accepting help – particularly when it’s unclear what can be done – was difficult.
“People want to do something in a situation like this, they really want to help. It’s literally been non-stop since Lane’s accident,” she said.
Surrounded by support
Judy said family and friends have been “amazing” since Lane’s accident, beginning with his sister.
“She’s been a really, good sister through all of this, from picking out his clothes, to doing his chores with the animals, and even pouring his milk,” Judy said.
Judy’s parents, Bill and Maryann Henningfeld, have played a big role as well.
“Grandma took on Lane and did his therapy with him, hand and eye coordination, reading and puzzles. She’s a fulltime caretaker for my dad, who has Parkinson’s, so she’s been an amazing, strong person,” Judy said.
Judy works at Pentair in Delavan and said her boss, Julie, started a Give Forward page to help with bills and other costs; Elkhorn Middle School held a dodgeball tournament, the student council held a fundraiser and his 8th grade basketball teammates, with help from Bryan Johnson, organized a Hoops 4 Hope tournament.
“Tibbets Elementary School, where both of my kids went to school, invited us to the Christmas program, thinking it may help with Lane’s memory loss. Mr. (Greg) Wells called us into his office and gave us money the staff had donated, as well as money the students who had voted for it to go to Lane rather than their classrooms,” Judy said. The school also made photo books of Lane’s artwork.
Sugar Creek 4-H designed a t-shirt in honor of Lane, inscribed with the following:
“We are not just a club… We are a family. #lanestrong #webleedgreen.”
Lane’s past connections with people also became apparent after he was injured.
“Lane knows a lot of people we don’t even know because of 4-H. The LaGrange 4-H Club sent us money. And the past couple of years he volunteered at the LaGrange United Methodist Church’s food tent at the fair so they donated money,” Judy said.
Thanks to a friend of the family who is a nurse for Aurora Hospice, the Schweitzers were chosen as the family the organization sponsored. Donations have also been received from Lockhart’s Service, A+ Powersports and the Town of Burlington Fire Department.
“Mrs. Ellen Holly, the guidance counselor at EMS, took time after school to come out and tutor Lane. Mrs. Joan Seye-Pyle made a book and a video for Lane. While at Children’s, his memory words were monkey, purple and bubble, so she incorporated those words into a rap music video with staff. It was so great,” Judy said.
On March 4, family friend Kyle Krueger and the 73 Twisted Sisters held a fundraiser at Star Rock in Delavan that featured a silent auction, raffle prizes and 50/50 raffles and live music.
Ongoing help continues
“We recently found out Lane will be the beneficiary of the Nick Van Dyke Shamrock Shuffle this year. Our kids spent time at Lockhart’s so Lane knew Nick. It’s neat that now, all these years later, Nick is going to help Lane,” Judy said.
Family and friends have been taking Lane to some of his appointments so Chad and Judy can stay at work and one of Lane’s closest friends prior to his accident has become an even better friend since.
“Lane and Josh (Brogen) had to meet each other again and they had a great time. Now, since Lane returned to school, Josh has been helping him get to his classes and has lunch with him,” Judy said.
Special bonds formed
Some unexpected support has come by way of others touched by traumatic brain injuries, including a family the Schweitzers know from the Elkhorn Area School District.
“Jordan Reynolds had suffered a TBI so he and his wife, Lacy, met with us. They had asked in advance, and found out Lane was a Packers fan. They gave us two $300 gas cards, and gave Lane an Aaron Rodgers jersey, bobbleheads and a Best Buy gift card. It was so nice to meet them because Jordan and Lane have a lot of the same symptoms,” Judy said.
The Vegter family, whose daughter suffered a TBI in a car crash, also connected with the Schweitzers.
“Lane struggles in school, has trouble sleeping and gets emotional because he doesn’t know why this happened to him. He’s had to rediscover foods, which has been funny at times – like when we gave him cucumber and told him he liked it before. He took a bite, made a face and said, ‘I did not like this.’ He also has no filter but we’re working on that,” Judy said.
Lane hasn’t lost his sense of humor, his mom said.
During the interview for this story, Lane asked if the fact that he beat Cheyenne’s boyfriend in basketball could be included. Cheyenne, who is 15, quickly said the person Lane was referring to wasn’t her boyfriend.
“She has a male friend but Lane likes to pick on her about it. She can’t date until she’s 16,” Judy explained.
“Sixty. 6-0,” Lane said with a smile.
The donations the family received has allowed them to pay all of the bills, Judy said. They plan to hire a tutor to work with Lane this summer but beyond that, any remaining money remaining will be donated.
“We plan to pay it forward and donate whatever money is left. Injured Veterans and Eve Dahl are two things Lane wants to donate to,” Judy said.
Lane, who is going to sit out from playing football his freshman year of high school, said he wants to be a running back in the NFL.
“If that doesn’t work out, I want to be a Marine,” he said.
“It’s hard because people see Lane and think he looks normal but there’s a struggle in his head. He can re-learn things but it may take awhile and there’s no timeline,” Judy said.
“Throughout all of this, the support we’ve received has been amazing. It really shows you how kind people are.”
