By CRISTINA JANNEY
Hays Post
A tragedy for a Victoria family has led to what they hope will be a blessing for others.
On Sept. 11, 2016, 3-year-old Matthew Wellbrock was injured in a tragic accident at his family’s home.
On the day of Matthew’s accident, Curtis, Matthew’s father, was mowing. Matthew loved everything to do to with gardening and farming and he loved to be with his dad, Matthew’s mother, Jeanna said.
Matthew escaped from lunch and snuck outside. Jeanna called to her husband to send Matthew back in the house. Matthew tried to come in through the garage.
“We will never know exactly what happened that day. Curt came in about 15 minutes later and asked where Matthew was. I had assumed that he had convinced Curt to let him stay with him,” Jeanna said. “Curt immediately went to the garage and found him trapped between the tailgate of the truck and the garage door. How it happened is anyone’s guess.”
The couple called 911 and started CPR. Victoria first responders quickly filled the home.
Matthew was taken to HaysMed and then flown to Wichita for further treatment.
Matthew’s parents refused to leave Matthew’s side while he was in the hospital in Wichita. A fellow Norwex consultant, who was also an EMT, showed up at the hospital with a bag of random items.
“Such things as toothbrushes, which I greatly appreciated after not brushing my teeth for more than 24 hours, water bottles snacks and other random things,” Jeanna said. “We had thrown some things in a bag before we took off, but we hadn’t taken our suitcases into the hospital. That bag had every necessity we needed, and it was a huge blessing.
“Although we did not have the ending that we hoped and prayed for, we have been able to continue to see the blessings we have been given from the first responders, the staff at HaysMed, Dr. Pope, who came in in her running clothes and had to identify herself to the ER nurses, EagleMed team, doctors and nurses in Wichita, our family and our friends. We have been blessed.”
In Matthew’s memory, Wonder Woman League, HaysMed and the Wellbrocks in cooperation with other sponsors have created a program in which other loved ones who are facing medical emergencies will receive the same bags of blessings the Wellbrocks received in the hospital when Matthew was injured.
The bags, which have been named Matthew’s Gift, will include snacks, basic toiletries, a deck of playing cards, a throw blanket, water, a gas card and other items a family might need.
“Because Matthew loved life and lived it with his whole being every day, when we were approached about this project, we wanted to team up with Wonder Women League, HaysMed as well as all the other generous sponsors to provide families and loved ones with loved ones being flown out with a bag that has the basic necessities in it,” Jeanna said.
Jeanna, surrounded by her husband and five other children, thanked the Wonder Woman League for allowing her family to share Matthew’s memory in a meaningful way.
“Matthew’s Gift is a way we can continue to honor all that Matthew gave us in his three and half short years,” Jeanna said.
HaysMed transfers between six and 10 patients a month out of its emergency department to other hospitals, said Terry Siek, HaysMed chief of nursing.
“When we heard the story and heard the part that we are not filling, which is how can we help someone who is in that situation and they don’t really have time to think or really do anything, they just need to grab and go. This is something we felt very important to work with,” he said.
He said one of the goals of HaysMed this year is to give back to the community and support volunteerism.
Other sponsors for Matthew’s Gift include D & L Bodyshop (Curtis and Jeanna Wellbrock), Hays Medical Center Foundation, Karst Water Well Drilling & Service, Jeter Law Firm, Victoria Knights of Columbus—Council 1867, First Kansas Bank, Five Star Auto Repair & Towing, Hamlin Creative Consulting, Kiwanis—Hays, ServiceMaster of Hays, State Farm Insurance-Wayne Voss, Walmart Supercenter of Hays, Golden Plains Credit Union and Werth Wealth Management.
The Wonder Women League is a comprised of women celebrating the power and influence to bring about positive change in the community through philanthropy and service. It operates under the umbrella of the United Way of Ellis County.
Other projects the group has worked on in its first year include the Born Learning Trail at Sunrise Park in Hays with partners Adams, Brown, Beran and Ball, a self-defense course, and cyber safety education at Hays USD 489 elementary schools.
The organization is accepting members. Donations made to the group are used for the health and betterment of children, families, community and neighborhoods.
The annual Power of the Purse fundraiser for the Wonder Women League will be 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 2, at Smoky Hill Country Club. Enjoy dinner with a purse auction and drawing for your opportunity to win handbags with extra goodies inside. Tickets are $40 and go on sale Friday. Raffle tickets are $5 each or five tickets for $20. Seating is limited.