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Donation site set up for injured Eagle County freeskier

Randy Wyrick
The Vail Daily
Caring for Kailyn
Special to the Enterprise |

To contribute

To help, contribute online at http://www.youcaring.com/medical-fundraiser/care-for-kailyn-forsberg-/335528#.VSdHE17KcBw.email

Contribute at your local First Bank by asking for the account for “Benefit of Kailyn Forsberg.” You may also send cards of good wishes to Kailyn and her family c/o Gypsum Elementary School, PO Box 570 Gypsum, CO 81637.

EAGLE COUNTY — A young local athlete finished second in two national finals freeskiing events before a fall left her injured and with minimal feeling from her chest down.

Kailyn Forsberg had already finished second twice in last week’s USASA nationals at Copper Mountain.

In Tuesday’s slopestyle event, though, she took a fall that resulted in a broken pelvis, dislocated hip, and a fracture of her C-7 vertebrae impacting the spinal cord.



She was immediately air lifted to Children’s Hospital in Aurora, where she underwent extensive surgery. Right now, she has no motor movement and minimal feeling from the chest down, her family said.

“We are all hoping and praying for recovery, and at the same time know Kailyn’s long-term struggle has just begun,” the family said.



The medical bills were expected to top seven figures and insurance won’t cover all that, so her family and friends set up a donation site on http://www.youcaring.com.

An account has also been established at First Bank.

Friends have already donated around $15,000 through youcaring.com, with additional money deposited at First Bank.

The goal is $150,000 by Kailyn’s 16th birthday, Jan. 24, 2016.

Kailyn, 15, is an Eagle Valley High School student, and the daughter of Mitch Forsberg, Gypsum Elementary School principal.

Kailyn was walking at nine months and on skis for the first time at 1 year old.

“She’s a sweet, caring, feisty mountain girl who is a lot of fun to be around, and is one of the toughest kids we know,” her family said.

Kailyn is one of nearly 1,900 athletes from 11 countries and 31 regional USASA series who competed in this year’s USASA national championships in Copper Mountain.

Staff Writer Randy Wyrick can be reached at 970-748-2935 or rwyrick@vaildaily.com.


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