歪歪漫画

On July 8, Richardton, North Dakota, dairyman Toby Tormaschy suffered a devastating fall while working on a grain bin in Minnesota. He was airlifted to a hospital in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, where he spent several months. Tormaschy suffered numerous broken bones, which have since healed. However, progress is slow in recovery from traumatic brain injuries.

In September, he was transferred to a rehabilitation facility in Omaha, Nebraska. There he is receiving speech, occupational and physical therapy, according to his wife, Heidi.

鈥淓very baby step is encouraging to see,鈥� Heidi Tormaschy said of Toby鈥檚 progress. 鈥淏ut it also shows how far he has to go.鈥�

Things are far from normal for Toby Tormaschy, and it can be frustrating to hear how, physically, he is looking back to normal, when inside he is feeling very different, his wife explained.

鈥淭hat鈥檚 kind of been the most difficult part of his recovery,鈥� she said.

What has been a big help in Toby鈥檚 recovery is the farming community that has come around him. Heidi has been impressed by farmers from around Omaha, where Toby receives treatment at Quality Living Inc., coming in to talk farming with Toby. One employee there even takes Toby out of that setting once a week to take part in therapy sessions on her farm. Another is bringing him to a farm show this week.

鈥淚t鈥檚 been good for him even just to get out of town 鈥� being around those sights, those smells, which are all memory triggering,鈥� Heidi said.

The Tormaschy family has been in the dairy business since 2008 and jumped into the raw milk business in 2023. They marketed their raw milk under the name. That business was 鈥渂eyond successful,鈥� but the operation has been paused following Toby's injury. The , which was a place to share about the milk business, has now become a place for regular updates on Toby鈥檚 progress.

The injury has been difficult on the entire family as they process what progress looks like. They are still unsure what the future holds. They all look forward to some sort of return to normal.

鈥淎ll being together, in the same house, just the very basic, mundane, routine things are what we miss the most,鈥� Heidi said.

There are several ways for people to help out, as the family has seen an overwhelming amount of medical bills and costs associated with travel and lodging.

The North Dakota Milk Producers Association is now seeking donations for the family that will be part of a silent auction at their annual convention. The funds will go to support the family, including the couple鈥檚 four daughters, Natalie, Kate, Emma and Nora. The Milk Producers Association plans to hold a silent auction at the 57th annual North Dakota Dairy Convention from noon to 4 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 15, 2025, at the Ramada in Bismarck.

鈥淲e are seeking donations of items for the auction or cash contributions to purchase auction items. If you are able to contribute in any way, please contact me to discuss further,鈥� Denise Rohweder, silent auction coordinator, wrote in a news release.

You can reach Rohweder at 701-321-0162.

Funds can also be given to the family at two North Dakota banks including a medical account at locations and at in Flasher. Make checks payable to Heidi Tormaschy.