For Zach Gabbard, the end of 2011 wasn't just about ringing in a new year. It was about a new beginning, a fresh start, and an end to the most difficult year of his life.
Last year started out like any other year for Gabbard. He was halfway through his junior season at Perham High School and was the leading scorer on the Yellowjackets' varsity basketball team. A few weeks into 2011, everything changed.
On Jan. 20, Gabbard was playing in a game against Dilworth-Glyndon-Felton High School. No one could have anticipated what happened that night. About 8 minutes into the game, Gabbard yelled to the bench, "Coach, I can't see." Within seconds, he collapsed.
Gabbard had gone into sudden cardiac arrest. He did not have any known medical problems prior to his collapse, but a post on his CaringBridge page on Feb. 24 said that doctors believed a respiratory virus he had in December 2010 may have caused it.
Paramedics used a defibrillator on Gabbard, and he was taken to Sanford Hospital in Fargo, N.D. A day after arriving at the hospital, Gabbard had heart surgery to place a device that allowed his heart to rest for a couple of days. He remained in critical condition and on Jan. 23 was transferred to the University of Minnesota Medical Center to receive more specialized care. During the time that followed his collapse, Gabbard had three heart surgeries.
Over the next few months, his days were filled with visits from occupational, physical, and speech therapists. He exceeded expectations with his strength and perseverance during that time, and he never gave up.
No one else gave up on him, either. Whether it was friends, family or complete strangers, many people came together to show their support for Gabbard and his family. His story didn't just touch many in the Perham area -- people from all over the country are following Gabbard's story and praying for him as well. His CaringBridge page has gotten more than 580,000 views.
"It's probably the most outstanding thing that I have ever been involved in in my life," David Cresap, Gabbard's basketball coach, told FSN last February. "People are so giving and they are so caring. People are coming from all over the nation (to show their support)."
The Perham basketball team had its own way of showing its support through it all.
"We have a symbol in the locker room," Coach Cresap said. "After every game, we have one kid that steps up and they have to be the leader, and we just do one clap after a victory. We have now instituted that for Gabbard. It's always 'One Clap for Zach.' "
As it turns out, the Yellowjackets did a lot of clapping last season. They went 24-1 and won the school's first state championship in boys basketball.
It was an emotional win for everyone. Gabbard wasn't able to attend the game because of low blood pressure, but he received his championship medal from the game and a piece of the net.
The past year has been a rough road to recovery for Gabbard and his family, but all of his hard work is paying off.
On Dec. 1, Zach's mother, Meridee Gabbard, posted on his CaringBridge page: "Zach's cardiologist has cleared him to resume basketball PRACTICE!"
Ten days later, another update was posted by Mrs. Gabbard: "A few days ago, Zach and I flew to Los Angeles to meet with a Cardiologist (in) downtown LA, who did extensive testing on his heart. He found NOTHING wrong with Zach's heart and has cleared him to play MSHSL basketball. We are looking forward to his first game!"
Gabbard is practicing with his team again and he is working toward regaining the muscle he lost.
"He is happy to be in uniform and warming up with the team," Mrs. Gabbard posted on Jan. 1. "When he and (Coach Cresap) feel he is ready to play, it will happen."
When that time comes, Gabbard will be back on the courts to finish his senior season and help the Yellowjackets work toward another state championship.
It has been a difficult journey for the Gabbards over the past year, but this new year offers a new beginning.
