Fundraiser for Vallejo crash victim

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Fundraiser for Vallejo crash victim
Thursday, October 10, 2002

By ROSEANN KEEGAN
Register Staff Writer

Cheryl Zimmerman knows she will walk again.

Until then, the Vallejo resident and her family will need help with what life has dealt them following an accident that left her in a wheelchair.

The family's American Canyon church is hosting a spaghetti dinner Saturday night to help pay for Zimmerman's 24-hour care and the conversion of the family's garage into a bedroom that is handicap accessible.

To help even more, the American Canyon City Council voted unanimously Sept. 19 to waive the $208 fee the church would otherwise be charged to use the city's Community Center for the event.

The pasta feed will be from 5-8 p.m. at the American Canyon Community Center, at the corner of Benton Way and Donaldson Way. Tickets are $10 per person and $25 for a family of five.

"This fundraiser is just going to be such a blessing," said John, Cheryl's husband of 28 years. "The church has just been awesome."

The accident occurred May 30, as the couple was heading to a steak dinner after teaching a CPR refresher course to firefighters and nurses in Concord.

Cheryl was driving along Highway 4; John was in the passenger seat. They both noticed another car moving into their lane. Cheryl steered left so the car wouldn't hit them, and their SUV skidded down an embankment. The other car continued in their lane, and sped off. Witnesses said the other car had been passing vehicles at 100 mph.

John, a firefighter with the California Medical Facility in Vacaville and a 28-year army reservist, was able to act as paramedic until the ambulance arrived. Cheryl was trapped in the car, as it came to rest on the driver's side. He stood on the steering column, and tried to stabilize her neck.

Cheryl said her condition might have been worse had it not been for John, who told paramedics upon arrival that she needed oxygen and special handling because she had a spinal injury.

"Helping her was the only thing keeping me sane," he said.

Cheryl's neck was broken in two places, and she wasn't able to go home until September. John has been using sick time to stay home, offering Cheryl the constant care she requires. To keep up with bills however, he knows he'll have to go back to work soon. The fundraiser will help pay for her 24-hour care.

The Zimmerman's car insurance is refusing to pay any of her medical bills since they weren't actually hit.

Their medical insurance is taking care of most of the costs, but bills and letters threatening to send them to collections are adding to their mounting stress.

They find it ironic that they've both dedicated their lives to training medical personnel, but when it comes to billing, they're treated like just another claim.

"For 28 years I've given my life on the line," John said, exasperated.

Despite their stresses, their faith in God and love for each other remains strong.

"I can't imagine life without her," John said, stroking his wife's hair.

Roseann Keegan can be reached at 256-2220 or rlanglois@napanews.com