Courageous, strong, determined as well as incredibly warm and genuine are words that describe this year’s Amy Thompson Run for Brain Injury honoree Katie Zemel. A native of Overland Park, Zemel suffered a traumatic brain injury in 1998 when struck by lightning during a soccer game in her freshman year of high school at Shawnee Mission South.
Zemel’s mother, Cathy Levin, was sitting in the stands during the game and recalls the sudden onset of stormy weather. Just as the words, “they need to call this game,” fell from Levin’s mouth, an enormous bolt of lightning struck the soccer field. The bolt was so powerful it knocked down every player on the field. One by one, all the players slowly began to stand up — except Zemel. Guesstimated by doctors as a million volts of electricity, the impact caused Zemel’s heart to literally stop beating.
Thanks to the remarkable CPR efforts of bystanders, both a nurse and a physical therapist attending the game, Zemel was revived and rushed to Overland Park Regional hospital. She was sedated at the hospital for two weeks until her breathing tube was finally removed, and then she was transferred to Children’s Mercy Hospital. In the days following Zemel’s coma, she had to relearn everything she ever knew, including the most basic skills, such as swallowing, blinking and smiling. Holding down food was among one of Zemel’s toughest challenges, and at one point, her weight dropped to as low as 75 pounds.
Zemel spent two grueling months at Children’s Mercy until she was finally well enough to return home — on June 1, 1998, the day of her older sister’s high school graduation. During that summer, she received intense out-patient therapy all day every day at the Rehabilitation Institute of Kansas City. By the end of summer, she was walking, talking and recognizing certain things again.
Although it was a tremendously difficult time for Zemel and her family, her progress was almost a miracle given the enormity of her injury. With a full-time para at her side, Zemel returned to high school in the fall of 1998. Although she could not participate in the sophomore curriculum, she used her time at school to continue relearning everything she had forgotten.
Zemel was a member of The Temple, Congregation B’nai Jehudah, where she became a Bat Mitzvah, at the time of the accident. The congregation worked with her so that she was able to be confirmed after the accident.
Now a member of Congregation Beth Torah, Zemel’s mother also praises KCUSY’s adviser Stefanie Williams for the interest she took in her daughter.
“She was so awesome including Katie in USY activities in high school and then letting her work at conventions when she was older,” Levin said.
Zemel spent five years total in high school and then was able to attend National Louis University in Evanston, Ill. NLU has a two-year certificate program for those with disabilities. Zemel stayed at NLU for four years and learned life-coping skills about safety and independent living.
Upon returning home to Overland Park after NLU, Zemel has made a life for herself. With the support of a wonderful manager and staff, Zemel currently works three days a week at Hy-Vee crafting salads-to-go in the produce department. On her “off” days, she helps her mother with her catering business, enjoys Jazzercise and making art. To this day, Zemel still lives with the effects of her brain injury. She has lost the sensation of hunger and fullness when eating, and she has no short-term memory. Without short-term memory, she requires devices, such as her iPhone, to remind her of everyday tasks such as when to eat and when to do laundry. Zemel says the most important thing she needs from others is to be treated with patience. Through no fault of Zemel’s, she often needs extra time to answer questions or get things done. It can be stressful or upsetting for her if others do not grant her a little patience.
Despite these hardships, Zemel faces each day with fortitude and a “can do” attitude. More than 15 years after the brain injury, Zemel is still showing growth and progress each day. In addition to her strength and perseverance, Zemel has an exceptionally friendly and warm demeanor, and her smile is contagious. To put it best, Angela, one of Zemel’s cognitive therapists from many years ago, says this about Zemel: “I’ve learned so much from Katie during the several years I worked with her. I’ve known her to be brave and resilient. Katie has a beautiful spirit and is always open to the best in life and in others. I am definitely a better therapist — even a better person — from having shared in part of her journey.”
The Amy Thompson Run for Brain Injury, one of the oldest family runs, begins in Loose Park and goes through some of Kansas City’s most beautiful neighborhoods. The run was started in 1988 by friends of Amy Thompson, to honor her memory. Proceeds from the run benefit the Brain Injury Association of Kansas and Greater Kansas City (www.biaks.org), which in turn provides vital programs offering resources, support and education for survivors, loved ones and professionals in our community. Since its inception the run has raised more than $2 million to help all people with brain injury and the professionals who treat them.
The run includes an 8K, a 5K run/walk, and 1 mile untimed benefit Walk for thought, finishing out the day with the Kiddie Dash. The 8K and 5K courses are certified and chip timed. For more information or to register, visit http://www.amythompsonrun.org.