December car accident leaves Waldner injured, unable to work

Years ago at Sheyenne High School, art educator Charlotte Franks-Erickson made an effort to reach out to a student, Michelle Waldner, with kindness and compassion. It was a gesture that Charlotte didn't really think twice about. For her, kindness mattered most.

When Michelle later started a family, she approached Charlotte with a meaningful request. Michelle asked Charlotte and her husband, Lynn Erickson, to be the godparents to her son Dason. For Charlotte, it was an honor to stay involved in the life of Michelle and her son.

In early December 2018, Charlotte received news that Dason had been involved in a car accident outside of Minto. On the night of Dec. 10, Dason was returning from a friend's house when he hit a bad spot on a gravel road. He lost control and was thrown 30 feet from his vehicle, through the sunroof.

In addition to suffering frostbite on several areas of his body, Dason endured three and half hours of surgery to repair his face and eye. Since the accident he has not been able to return to work. He returns to visit the eye surgeon at the end of January, as more surgeries may be required. The bottom photo at right shows the extent of his facial injuries.

Charlotte submitted the story in the hopes that it might encourage other kind souls to help her godson Dason and her dear friend Michelle. Dason was uninsured at the time of the accident, as Michelle could no longer afford to keep him on her insurance. He had just turned 19 a few months prior. Charlotte says, "Michelle has been an unbelievable single mom to her three children. I am always amazed at her common sense, kind heart and fierce commitment to what's right and what's wrong. She is an inspiration to me."

Currently no benefit has been planned, however anyone who would like to make a donation to help Dason and his family pay for medical expenses, please direct donations to the account that has been set up at Koda Bank, P.O. Box 315, MINTO, ND 58261.