For the clubs that that were at the Hutch tournament you may have heard me talk about our wrestler that is not doing very well. I am going to give everyone a update and hopefully seek help from other clubs.

Braden Berner is our 8U kids that about 2-3 weeks ago was complaining about his neck being sore at practice. Us coaches (his Dad included) just assumed it was a "normal" soreness that all kids get form time to time.

He just watched practice and excercise and did no live wrestling for a couple of days. Shortly thereafter he was in constaint pain. The parent went through the next couple of weeks doing tests and treating for a pinched nerve.

Last Wednesday they did a MRI on him in Wichita and found a large tumor on his spine. It was covering 5 vertabrea and starting to block his esophagos. (sp?)

Braden was immediatelu admitted into the hospital. He was scheduled to go into surgery to remove the tumor on Thursday morning. Just right before the surgery Braden coded and had to be revived and stabalized.

The surgery was finally done after he was stabalized.

Braden is currently still on a ventilator to help him breathe and is slowly getting some feeling back below his shoulders but nothing else so far. He has started to attepmt to breathe on his own slightly, which is a very god sign.

I was able to go to see him today. He was awake and able to nod his head eventhough he rested most of the time.



As you can imagine Braden and his family have a very long fight ahead of them.

AS his parent and my wife and son talked in the hallway they were over whelmed with the support the heard about at the tournament and all the people that came to asking about him.

I made mention of a donation jar and we collected alomst $250 for their family.

I am not done there, I am ordering sports bracelets with his name on them and will be selling them to give all proceed to the family. If there are clubs that want to order any please contact me and I will make all the arangements.

I am hoping to have them and District 3 sub and District for sale. I haven't cleared that with anyone but assume that isn't a big deal.

If anyone want to make a donation it can be sent to:

Team Lightning Wrestling Club
8902 N. Lorraine
Hutchinson, KS 67502
attn: Braden Fund

There will be a chili feed and a few outher even that some are puling together to raise funds for the family.

The wrestling family we are in has a strong history of taking care of each other.

Please keep Braden and his family in your thoughts and prayers.

If anyone has any questions please feel free to give me a call.

620-960-3979

Tracy I'd like some bracelets to sell over at Nickerson. Our team will help you out anyway possible so just let us know! What about a fund raising dual between our teams and ask for donations to attend and sell bracelets there. Maybe try to get Hutch involved as well! Thoughts and prayers from the Jr Panthers!!

I will give you a call and see what we can figure out.

I loved the prayer before the tournament in Jesus name. I also cannot recall any stretcher brought out in regards to serious injury during the course of the day. The power of prayer works!

Aaron Younger
Ellis

I think the worst thing we had was a asthma attack in the crowd, that I am aware of.

My thoughts are with this little warrior and his family!!

Our club wants to donate. I see where to send and would like to know how you would like the endorsement. Thanks and prayers.

Endorse to:

Team Lightning

Please make sure that the that your club name is noted, the family and I have started a long list of supporters and they want to thank them individualy.

Thanks again!

I want to Thank the following clubs:

Maize
Ottawa Mat Masters
Nickerson Jr. Panthers
Great Bend
Hutchinson Kids Club

These clubs have commited to buying bracelets to sell to team members (or to give however they were planning on doing it)

Bottom line is they are helping a child and family in need.

Thank You!

Just a quick update on Braden:

He is still in PICU and is still battling. At this point the tumor that was removed was found to contain cancer, and his Braden still has no feeling from the shoulders down. There is no doubt he has a tough fight ahead of him.

Braden's family has had a ton of support and it is only growing, not only in the local community but in the wrestling community.

His parent and myself included have been completely shocked and overwhelmed with the support that other wrestling clubs and members have given.

There has never been a time that I was as proud as I am now to be part of a organization that has stepped up and sent e-mails, pm's, donations, phone calls and thoughts and prayers.

Our list to keep track of is growing very fast, I am having a hard time keeping track.

Hoxie Wrestling club
Great Bend Wrestling Club
The Daniels family
The Heeb family
The McCraken family
Ottawa Mat Masters
Creach Family
Nickerson Club
Hutch Club
Maize Club
Mattney Family
The Cox Family
BHS Wrestling
The Kimble Family
Whitson Family
Brandengurger Famliy
Henderson Famliy


I know I may be forgetting some, so I apologize in advance if I missed you. These are all people or club that are directly related to wrestling.

Pretty dang good list and for Braden and his famliy, I want to thank every one of you for your help, thoughts, and prayers.

I want to thank everyone that has supported and is still supporting Braden and his family. For his family and TLWC there has been so many calls and e-mails it is really great how the wrestling community pulls together.

Braden did lose his battle with his illness two nights ago.

Please keep his family and friends in your thoughts as they begin the healing process.

Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and TLWC.

From the Winfield Wrestling Club, our thoughts and prayers are with both the Berner Family and the Team Lightning Wrestling Club. As parents, stories like this teach us how precious life truly is and what a gift our children are.

We will be thinking about your club children who certainly have a tough loss to deal with. God Bless you all.

This is very sad news as we have and will continue to keep the Berner family and the TLWC in our thoughts and prayers. Remember you have a huge wrestling family from all over the state that is here for support during this healing process.

Hays Wrestling Club

To the Berner family you are in the thoughts and prayers of my family. I am so sorry for yur loss. God be with you at this time of need.

The entire Clearwater club has been praying for Braden and his family, as well as the entire Team Lighting team. We will continue to keep you all in our deepest thoughts and prayers.

Thoughts and prayers to all of you. God earned another beautiful angel.

My thoughts remain with this young Warrior and all the lives he touched.

Thinking of your family's best moments and how they can never be erased. Our heartfelt condolences to the fight he had within himself only to find that Jesus surrounded him in love & he will live forever.

Ricki & Brett Bober

Have said many prayers for this young man and his family! Will continue to do so. As a parent of 5 my heart truely goes out to this family.

Brian & Mendy Zimmerman
Bulldog Wrestling Club