10-year-old continues to heal after UTV accident

BY BECKY UEHLING

GRANT TRIBUNE Correspondent

Ten-year-old Jimmy Konzak of Grant continues to heal after a sports utility vehicle (UTV) accident on November 2 in rural Perkins County, according to his mom and dad, Crystal Sinner and Kelly Konzak.

According to Sinner, Jimmy and a friend were in a side-by-side when the UTV hit some loose gravel and tipped over. Konzak put his leg and arm out to catch himself, which caused breaks on his growth plates in both his leg and his arm, she said. The other boy in the UTV was not injured in the wreck, she said.

After being seen at Perkins County Health Services, Jimmy was taken to North Platte where a rod was put in his arm to help stabilize it, Crystal said. “The orthopedic surgeon also required Jimmy to stay off his leg, so he has been wheel chair bound,” Crystal said. “He’ll have to go back in a month or so to have the rod removed.” 

Jimmy had been schooling at home for two weeks, and went back for the first time on Tuesday, Nov. 18.  

“Jimmy missed his friends,” Sinner said. “He has his friends at school helping him get around and about.”

 Jimmy will go back to the doctor in two weeks for further x-rays to see when the rod can be take out, she said.

Crystal said that despite everything, Jimmy is doing really well. “He continues to learn how to use only the right side of body, but is in good spirits overall, and isn’t in as much pain as he was.” she said. “We are so grateful that it wasn’t worse.”  

Friends and family have been great help for the family, Sinner said, and they are so thankful for the community. “We have been thankful for all the prayers and those thinking of us and helping us out,” she said.

Those interested in sending Jimmy get well wishes can do so by mailing cards to P.O. Box 122, Grant, NE 69140.