Gophers Pay Young Wrestler Burned In Accident A Special Visit
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- A hospital is hardly a fun place for a little boy, especially one from South Dakota having to be that far from home.
But when he needed care, he came to Hennepin County Medical Center in Minneapolis. And when he needed a little cheering up, he got quite a surprise from some special people there.
It is with his wrestling team where 8-year-old Tyler Schultz is at his happiest. He has been wrestling for four years, but he hasn't been able to be with his wrestling team lately. Not since an accident six weeks ago left him badly burned.
It happened when Tyler was playing over at a friend's house.
"They were messing with things that they probably shouldn't have been messing with," Tyler's father Dallas Schultz said.
Tyler caught on fire from some diesel fuel. His little brother Evan ran and got a hose and likely saved his brother's life.
"I thank God every day that he was there," Dallas Schultz said.
But now, Tyler's here in the hospital, missing his family, his wrestling team. That's why the Gophers wrestling team decided to bring themselves over for a visit.
"I know that the mental aspect of recovering is huge," Gophers wrestler Josh Shupe said. "I know he's got great doctors and stuff working right now, but if we can be here to help that mental and emotional part, it's going to go a long way."
Now when Tyler goes back to South Dakota, he can tell all his friends about his new wrestling team.
"I thank them all for coming, it's an inspiration for him," Dallas Schultz said. "I thank God that he's gotten so much better. He's got a long ways to go, but he'll make it, he's doing real good."
Since Tyler's parents have been up here with him, they haven't been able to work. A friend started a GoFundMe page for them.