Family, friends rally to support Caz graduate

Accident Leaves Husband In Critical Condition

By kAtE Hill Staff Writer

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 moni- tor 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

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Submitted photoS

Audrey Ekstrom, née Glathar’s husband, Eric, recently suffered a severe neck and spinal injury. Ekstrom is seven months into a high-risk pregnancy and will be hospitalized from Aug. 1 until the baby’s delivery.