Eden Prairie Local News
    Facebook Twitter Instagram
    Monday, July 4
    • About
      • About EPLN
      • Team
      • EPLN in the News
      • Policies
    • Contact
    Facebook Twitter Instagram
    Subscribe
    Eden Prairie Local News
    • Home
    • Politics
    • Schools
    • Business
    • Construction
    • Sports
    • Outdoors
    • City
    • Calendar
    • Donate
    • Subscribe
    • More
      • Health
      • Spirituality
      • Community Service
      • Legacy
      • Obituaries
      • Arts
      • Family
      • Holidays
      • Letter to Editor
      • Listen
      • Jobs
    Eden Prairie Local News
    Home»Family»‘Fierce’ Forest Hills teacher recovering from fall from horse
    Family

    ‘Fierce’ Forest Hills teacher recovering from fall from horse

    By Jim BayerNovember 20, 2020Updated:November 21, 20206 Mins Read

    “Though she be but little, she is fierce.” – Shakespeare in A Midsummer Night’s Dream

    From a friend’s post on Kelli Zupke’s CaringBridge page

    Cross Creek Stables is Kelli Zupke’s second home. She loves roaming the trails, rolling hills and pasture on the 210-acre property in Cologne – always on her 6-year-old thoroughbred, Jackson. That’s where she was on Halloween day, enjoying a windy, but mild October day with a friend and their horses.

    Suddenly, a rush of wind caused a moment of confusion for Jackson and the spooked animal reared up and bucked Kelli from her saddle. Kelli landed hard and even though she was wearing a helmet and other safety gear, she lay unconscious.

    Advertisement
    Ad for Washburn-McReavy

    Kelli, 56, who has taught at Forest Hills Elementary School in Eden Prairie for 18 years, was rushed to Hennepin County Medical Center where she was diagnosed with a traumatic brain injury (TBI). Three weeks later, Kelli is undergoing intense physical, occupational and speech therapy at KNAAP Rehabilitation Center in Minneapolis.

    Kelli Zupke with her horse, Jackson.

    Her husband, Tim, has spent every day at his wife’s bedside helping with therapy when he can, and recording every moment in his detailed CaringBridge posts most nights. Tim has been a special education teacher at Little Eagles Preschool in Eden Prairie since 2007. Tim and Kelli live in Carver. Kelli has two sons from a previous marriage, Sage, 20, and Samuel, who turned 18 in the midst of his mom’s recovery.

    The Zupke family: (l-r) Tim, Samuel, Kelli, and Sage.

    “Later on in the afternoon I decided to play some music for Kelli on my laptop…The first song I played was “It’s Your Love” by Tim McGraw & Faith Hill. Almost 30 seconds in to the song, Kelli began singing along, mouthing the words to the refrain!”

    From Tim Zupke’s CaringBridge post on Nov. 14

    “The first week she was basically in a coma,” said her sister-in-law Jessica Zupke. “Towards the end of the first week she was squeezing some hands, but very minor.” Only when doctors were able to remove her from a ventilator and fit her with a tracheotomy that she turned the corner, she said.

    Kelli’s passion for horses began at a young age. She got her first horse – a bouncing one – at age 6 and has been riding ever since. She started riding real horses in 4th grade and her parents bought her first horse when she was 12.

    Just two years ago she bought Jackson. “He’s a huge horse for her size,” Jessica said. “But it’s not that she couldn’t handle him. He’s just big and muscular.”

    Horses are known to be spooked by high winds, Jessica said, because if affects their hearing. What happened that day was nothing she hadn’t experienced with him before, she said. Kelli’s friend was turning her horse at that moment and didn’t see exactly what happened.

    Since the accident, Kelli has had difficulty moving the right side of her body and she struggles to communicate effectively. Her doctor explained that with TBI, some nerves in the brain get “twisted” and it takes time to slowly re-wire themselves, according to one of Tim’s CaringBridge posts. Kelli’s progress may fluctuate and plateau. But Kelli has continued to improve each day.

    “Baby steps from the outside looking in, but in the brain injury world, huge jumps,” Jessica said.

    Kelli will be discharged from KNAAP in mid December. No one is sure right now if she will go home or to another rehabilitation facility. Either way, Jessica said, it’s a good sign.

    “Kelli is loving listening to music, watching videos and talking. TALKING!  She talked about Sage and Samuel, teaching and horseback riding to everyone who came into the room today.”

    CaringBridge entry by Kelli’s sister, Chris, visiting from Chicago

    Both Tim and Jessica were effusive in their thanks to everyone who has offered prayers and support – from colleagues to family to friends to former students. Kelli’s colleagues at Forest Hills produced a 30-minute video of well wishes from staff members.

    “Kelli was able to see it this week…and she was just smiling ear-to-ear,” Jessica said. Forest Hills staff members also have been involved in providing meals for Tim and donating on her GoFundMe page.

    Tim is the defensive coordinator at Mayer Lutheran High School and his players spent a day raking Tim and Kelli’s yard and preparing the property for winter.

    “They did a beautiful job!” Jessica said. His coaching colleagues also have donated gift baskets and gift cards.

    “Dear Mrs. Zupke, When I heard about how you fell off of your horse I was nervous and scared. My mom and dad are updating me about your improvements. I hope you can get better soon. Bye, Henry.”

    A note from a former elementary student on Kelli’s CaringBridge page

    Kelli’s CaringBridge site contains dozens of captivating moments during the time she has been in the hospital. Some frightening, but mostly hopeful. Many posts call her “tough” and “a fighter.” One entry written by Tim 11 days after the accident seems to capture those attributes as well as another side of her.

    Kelli was working with her physical therapist on standing upright. She was struggling and the therapist asked her what other things she liked other than horses. With Kelli still unable to respond easily, Tim said she like teaching, running…and dancing.

    Prompted by the therapist to play some music on his laptop, Tim cued up a song by country music trio BlackHawk. Then the therapist told Tim to take Kelli’s hand.

    “For 10 minutes and two songs, Kelli was upright and dancing with me,” Tim wrote. “Gently swaying side to side, but dancing!” And, he said, with a huge smile on her face.

    “Thank you all again for the prayers, well wishes and love/support you are showing for Kelli.  It means a lot to our family…just know you all are RockStars in our eyes now and forever.”

    Tim’s CaringBridge post, Nov. 20

    A GoFundMe page has been set up for Kelli and Tim here

    To purchase a “Kelli’s Fearless Fight” t-shirt, go to http://bit.ly/kellisfearless

    Subscribe to EPLN for FREE!
    Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Email
    Previous ArticleFoundation for Eden Prairie Schools Announces $10,350 Matching Gift Challenge
    Next Article “Thank You” – not just hollow words

    More to READ

    5 Mins Read

    Destination: Anywhere

    April 15, 2022
    1 Min Read

    GoFundMe organized for man hurt in motorcycle crash

    March 22, 2022
    4 Mins Read

    Children’s book author has Eden Prairie roots

    February 25, 2022
    Add A Comment

    Comments are closed.

    Subscribe to get EPLN in your inbox for FREE!
    Recent Articles

    EPIC grapples with transportation problems

    July 2, 2022

    Hennepin sheriff candidates speak at forum

    July 2, 2022

    Eden Prairie legislative incumbents and opponents disagree about Supreme Court decision – but how far apart are they?

    July 2, 2022

    EP water tank topped off with ‘Tank of the Year Award’

    July 1, 2022

    Financial gifts to be matched at PROP in July

    July 1, 2022
    LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

    LETTERS TO THE EDITOR are welcome.

    Send letters, which have not been published elsewhere, to editor@eplocalnews.org.

    Letters may be up to 250 words and can also include pictures. Indicate clearly that you would like to share your letter with EPLN readers.

    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Instagram
    Eden Prairie Local News is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization EIN 85-4248265 | Copyright © 2020-2022
    • About
    • Policies
    • Jobs
    • Contact
    • Advertising
    • Subscribe
    • Donate

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.