Our dear friends, Jen & Mike Verharen's 20-yr old son, Coulter, had a serious accident on July 4th at the Jackson Hole Rodeo. In all the years we've known their family, Jen, Mike, and Coulter have always been the first to generously support others. We created this site because so many people have reached out and want to help them. Thank you for supporting Coulter as he continues on his courageous journey to recovery. FROM JEN & MIKE: On the 4th of July, our son, Coulter Verharen had a traumatic spinal cord injury while competing in the Jackson Hole Rodeo. As with many spinal cord injuries, the prognosis is unknown and will depend on many factors. For now, he does not have feeling in or use of his lower body. He underwent surgery on July 5th and has been at the Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center since. He will be transported to Craig Hospital in Denver next week to begin rehabilitation. If you know Coulter, you know his life has long revolved around horses- he was an avid eventer as a kid and has recently become passionate about his work as a cowboy. In the last few years, he has quietly sought other big challenges as well. Free diving, rock climbing, scuba, avalanche rescue training, and skiing. When the pandemic hit and other kids were spending their lockdown time playing video games, Coulter could be found, most mornings at daybreak, chasing salmon and ling cod in a little skiff off the shores of Vashon, the island he grew up on. At age 18, Coulter was done with small island life. Armed with a high school diploma and a two-year college degree, he set out for Wyoming to attend a Wilderness Medicine Certification Program. He spent three months learning backcountry emergency medical rescue while canyoneering, rock climbing and white water rafting. On his way home from this course, he stopped in Afton, Wyoming at The Bronze Buffalo Club ranch to take advantage of an opportunity to work with trainer, Jose Alejos, for a month. One month turned into two. Soon, he was part of the team and has never looked back. Coulter has never been happier than he has been working with Jose and his crew. He loves the riding, the landscape, the independence, the hard work and the team he works with. Now, as he patiently explains to the nurses what he needs, asks questions about the purpose of everything they ask him to do and diligently does every exercise he’s given, it is clear that learning his new life will just be his next big challenge- one he did not choose but is meeting with the same determination with which he has met all the others. Coulter said a few days ago, "I'm going to want to learn new things so I can keep being useful in my job." At a time when many in his shoes might be thinking about what they have lost, he is thinking only about what is ahead. Craig Hospital is the only rehab clinic in the US that specializes exclusively in spinal cord and brain injury rehabilitation. Coulter has chosen it based on medical advice and his desire to work hard on his recovery. It is more intense than other programs, serves a younger demographic, and will give him the best chance for continuing his passionate outdoor lifestyle with horses. He has a long road of recovery ahead but he is a hard worker and is ready to start the journey. We are overwhelmed by the outpouring and love and support from family, friends, clients, and from Coulter’s larger community. So many people understand the long-term expense Coulter will be faced with and have offered to help. There are not only the immediate medical bills but the myriad of adaptive equipment costs he will need over the next few months. It is our hope that he will be able to continue to live the fiercely independent life that he has begun and take advantage of any medical and technological opportunities that will allow him to do that. Any money contributed now, will allow us to pay his current medical bills and will be put into a fund for his needs over the next few months as he transitions back into his bright, purpose-driven life with horses and his team. We are full of gratitude for the amazing human he is and for all the love and support our family is receiving as we go on this journey with him. #TeamCoulter Contributions can be made here on Go Fund Me or alternatively via: -Venmo: @Jen-Verharen -checks can be made payable to: Jen Verharen -checks and cards can be mailed to: Coulter Verharen, Inpatient Craig Hospital 3425 S. Clarkson Street Englewood, CO 80113 All contributions will be used to pay Coulter's medical and rehabilitation bills or will be put into an account for him to purchase adaptive equipment in the upcoming months. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts. #TeamCoulter
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