There were moments—days even—when Celeste Parslow was afraid Saturday would never happen.
But nearly four months after her son Nate, lost his arm in a horrific car accident, it did: Nate crossed the Schoharie Central School gym to get his diploma at graduation, cheered on by family and friends--the State Troopers who saved his life among them.
Michael Bernard Jr. was charged with DWAI drugs and vehicular assault in the March 5 two-car crash on Route 30.
The case has been postponed multiple times in Schoharie Town Court.
Nate was airlifted to Albany Medical Center, where he spent 16 days and underwent multiple surgeries before returning home.
He only made it there, Ms. Parslow said, because of the efforts of Troopers Angela Yodis—who applied the tourniquet that saved his life--and Nicholas Bird.
Both of them were on hand Saturday to watch Nate graduate.
So were members of the Schoharie Fire Department—Nate’s “fire family,” Ms. Parslow said; he joined after the crash as a way to give back.
“That’s just the kind of kid he is,” she said in the days leading up to graduation. “He’s always been the one to reach out, to try to make people feel better.”
Before his SCS graduation, Nate was a featured speaker at his BOCES graduation—he studied Construction/Heavy Equipment—where he talked about his recovery and thanked the community and classmates for their support.
“I’ve have had to miss out on much of my senior year at Schoharie Central, a milestone that I’ve worked hard to achieve,” he said.
“Attending my classes for big machinery at Schoharie CTE was a highlight of my day and came to an abrupt stop. My days are now spent traveling to the many doctor appointments...
“It helps me heal knowing I have such great support behind me.”
Nate still plans to join the family business—Korendace Pool Building in Voorheesville; in fact, Ms. Parslow said, he’s already been lending a hand with ordering and he’s been out on some job sites.
“He’s not letting this stop him,” she said.
Nate’s been working on learning to use the foot pedals on different machines while he waits on his custom-made prosthetic—something Ms. Parslow said will “make all the difference in the world.”
“Thank goodness to the community that has stood behind him,” she said; BOCES students alone raised and donated more than $1,200 to help with medical bills and travel.
“One way or the other, he will get his arm. We just have to be patient. Nate’s determined to make the best of every day and he keeps the rest of us positive.”
A GoFundMe has been set up to help with Nate’s bills at https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-nate-parslow-stay-natestrong.
Mike McCagg, BOCES communications specialist, contributed to this story.