TORRINGTON – On Saturday, March 22, the Torrington Elks Club will be hosting a benefit dinner for the Parker Smith Family from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. 

The dinner will feature two enchiladas, rice, beans, pork chili, drink and a dessert for $25 a plate with all proceeds going to the family to help offset medical expenses related to a motor vehicle accident in February. 

“On the morning of February 12, Wyoming State Trooper Parker Smith experienced one of the most terrible calls a law enforcement officer can get – a serious injury vehicle crash involving severe injury to a small child. What makes this crash even more tragic is that when he arrived on the scene, he discovered the vehicle was his family’s minivan, carrying his wife and two children. Thankfully his wife, Aby, and four-year-old son, PJ, were not seriously injured,” the association explained in a press release shortly after the accident. “Two-year-old Christian, however, was seriously injured in the crash and was flown to Scottsbluff, Nebraska and then on to Children’s Hospital of Colorado for ongoing, advanced care.”

Christian continues to receive care, according to the association. 

“We heard from the Smith family today and it looks like things continue to get better a little at a time for Christian as he begins his physical therapy during his long recovery efforts. Parker has sent us an update to let us know that Christian continues his fight and show what true grit really means,” the association said last week. 

“’It is clear God has been hearing our prayers. Also, the donations have just been so helpful we literally couldn’t do it without you. Over the last few weeks, we have been seeing miracles every single day! When Christian first woke up, he was not really comprehending anything around him, he was more or less just looking around with a blank stare. But very quickly he started nodding his head for yes and no. Then soon came the words like Mom, Dad, PJ. After about two weeks I went to give him knuckles and he lifted his left arm and gave me a fist bump,’” Parker relayed to the association. 

Parker explained Christian is now on the retaliation floor where he is no longer receiving fluids intravenously. Parker also noted Christian is receiving nearly five hours of physical therapy a day.

“’This is to include learning how to eat, drink, walk, balance and talk. Just today the doctors came in to give use a timeline that they think we will be here. They gave us about 8-10 weeks. But while they were in there, they were impressed with the way he was moving and said they may need to reevaluate the situation,’” Parker explained in the association’s update. “Now Christian is moving his left arm and left leg. That side of his body is still pretty uncoordinated and weak but it’s amazing to see how much progress he has made in such a short time. I’m also now able to help him walk around the room.’”