Valley teen faces long recovery after sledding accident

MAT-SU — In the wake of a horrific sledding accident, friends and family of a local girl are raising money to help meet the costs of caring for her.

Shelby Irsik, 13, was sledding in Hatcher Pass March 6 when she was injured after hitting a tree. She was airlifted to Anchorage, where she’s been ever since, recovering from spinal injuries and internal bruising.

Soon after, her family and friends set up a blog and a Facebook page to post updates on her progress. One of the people leading the charge is her mother’s best friend, Shelia Hansen, who said Shelby’s family has rallied around her.

“Shelby’s doing great. They’re coming together and it’s just been an incredibly inspiring thing to witness,” she said.

It’s still unclear exactly how much her treatments are going to cost and if the costs to cope with her injury will end when she goes home. Depending on how much she’s able to get around, the family might need to get a new house or modify its current residence.

“We’re hoping for a good portion of recovery, but realistically, spinal damage you just don’t recover fully,” Hansen said.

The tree she hit has since been cut down. Contacted via text message, Shelby’s mother, Jessica Steele, said she wants to share Shelby’s story.

“If it helps make one kid be more careful with sledding then it’s so worth it,” she wrote. “She was so happy when I told her they cut down the tree. She said ‘thank goodness this can’t happen to anyone else.’”

Hansen said the accident has changed how she raises her own children — no more sledding.

“My husband and I made the decision that we can’t risk it,” she said. “It’s just too risky.”

She said the fund-raising efforts are just getting off the ground, but already several hundred dollars have come in. People have also sent food and gifts and gift cards to use at the hospital commissary.

“I hugely believe that we’re here to help each other and make life easier. That’s what we’re here for and that’s what community means,” Hansen said.

Steele owns the Beehive Beauty Shop and folks there want to do a haircut-a-thon with the cost of the haircuts going to Shelby. They want to attach a flier to canisters to collect spare change at local businesses.

“It’s a testament to who she is a person and her success and the relationships she’s built over the years,” Hansen said.

According to the Friends of Shelby website, Shelby is learning to walk again and trying to get her appetite back. Her family asks that people pray for her. But at the top of the page is a note that indicates just how long of a process this is likely to be.

“If anyone knows of a ranch home for rent here in the Valley please let us know. In planning for Shelby to come home it looks like Jessica is going to need to move into a home that is safer for Shelby and supports her mobility and rehabilitation.”

Contact Andrew Wellner at andrew.wellner@frontiersman.com or 352-2270.

ON THE WEB

To read updates or donate to Shelby’s recovery fund visit friendsofshelby.com or facebook.com/friendsofshelby