She paints a lively picture: Athletic, bright, strong.
“Everything you would want in a nine-year-old boy,” she smiles softly and stares out into the sea of tiny faces.
Her Lakeview classroom.
With one student missing: Jacob Witzke.
As of Thursday morning Jacob was in an induced coma, fighting for his life, his parents at his side praying for their child’s recovery.
The once humorous, tae-kwon-do expert lies motionless, minimally responsive to voice or touch. He struggles to lift his lids, almost swollen shut from surgery.
Jacob has myocarditis, an inflammation of the heart muscle, resembling a heart attack but without the blockage of arteries.
It is often due to an infection by common viruses.
“It can happen with any virus,” Jacob’s father Garth Witzke said.
“Instead of a common cold attacking the respiratory system, it attacks the heart. There’s no sense of who it is going to happen to.”
Jacob’s teacher Colleen Brigden eagerly displays a photograph of Jacob, taken less than a month ago during an outing to the Gymnastics Club.
He stands barefooted, an impish grin playing across his flushed face, both arms outstretched, displaying double peace signs.
He’s beautiful.
And he needs your help.
Friends and family have quickly organized a number of ways community members can support the Witzke family.
Donations being accepted at:
• The Quesnel RCMP station;
• Lakeview Elementary School;
• Northstar Baptist Church
• cash and cheques accepted, please make payable to Garth Witzke.
If you live out of town, but still wish to donate, send cheque or money order to: NCO i/c RCMP, attention: Dana Bouchard,, 584 Carson Avenue, Quesnel B.C. V2J 2B5.
Ruby Mortensen has offered to make bannock as a fundraiser, $15 a dozen, call 250-992-3527 to order. All proceeds to the Witze family.
This Sunday, May 15 is a BBQ at Extra Foods, 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. All proceeds to Witzke family.
June 4, Ceal Tingley Park, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m., walk, run, stroll or simply pop by and make a donation. Call Brenda for more information, 250-747-3973.
Jacob’s father has also set up a blog to keep people informed on his son’s progress, type in “please pray for Jacob” in your Facebook search bar.
As for now, Jacob’s family wait anxiously “cautiously optimistic.” His friends, not entirely aware of the severity of the situation, work on get well cards, and share their thoughts on their nine-year-old classmate.
“He’s really good at carving sticks,” Brock Weightman said.
“He’s an outside boy.”
Denny Law lifts his left leg and whips it around, demonstrating Jacob’s “best move” the tornado kick.
“He skipped his yellow belt!” he exclaims, his eyes bright with excitement.
Check future Observer’s for updates on Jacob’s condition.
