Trust Fund Set Up For Teen Paralyzed In Climbing Accident
A trust fund has been set up for a Newman Lake teenager seriously injured last month in a rock climbing accident.
Jeremy Vetter, 18, broke his back during a June 14 climbing accident near Post Falls. He is paralyzed from the waste down and is undergoing therapy at St. Luke’s Rehabilitation Institute.
Donations can be made to the Jeremy Vetter Trust Fund at any Seafirst Bank branch. Members of the Spokane Valley Seventh-day Adventist Church, of which the Vetter family are members, established the fund to help offset Jeremy’s medical expenses.
Vetter tumbled 45 feet off a cliff while climbing at Q’emiln Park, a popular Post Falls rock climbing spot.
According to witnesses, Vetter had just climbed a sheer rock face and was seated atop a ledge, still tethered to his partner below. His partner started climbing and fell, yanking Vetter over the ledge and down an 80-degree slope.
Vetter’s partner fell a short distance to the ground, but was not injured.
Vetter, who spent 11 days at Deaconess Medical Center before being transferred to St. Luke’s on June 25, is near the middle of a six-week therapy program, said Lola Lile, church secretary and family friend.
“He’s taken the task at hand and is really working on it,” Lile said.
Vetter’s positive attitude may allow him to complete the program faster than the traditional six weeks, she said.
Carnival of Safety earns award
Valley Hospital and Medical Center’s Kids Carnival of Safety has been named the best safety program in the state run by a hospital of medium size. The award, earned by last year’s event, was presented by the Washington State Healthcare Safety Council.
The Valley Hospital safety carnival, which annually attracts thousands of kids and their parents, offers free activities, exhibits, films and other programs designed to teach safe-living skills.
This year’s Kids Carnival of Safety will take place July 31, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., on the grounds of the hospital. There will be presentations focusing on water safety, fire prevention, first aid and many other areas. Bicycle safety, with an emphasis on wearing helmets, will be underscored and bike helmets will be given randomly to kids throughout the day.
For more information on this year’s Kids Carnival of Safety, call 924-6650.
Irrigation district position open
Pasadena Park Irrigation District No. 17 has a vacancy on its board of directors.
District officials are accepting applications for the director No. 2 position, which will be up for election in December.
Applications and resumes should be submitted to the Spokane County commissioners’ office, 1116 W. Broadway, by July 24. Application forms are available in the commissioners’ office.
For more information about the position, contact Pasadena Park Irrigation at 926-5535.
, DataTimes