Support sought for North Dakota dairy family following fall from grain bin
On July 8, 2024, Richardton, North Dakota, dairyman Toby Tormaschy suffered a devastating fall while working on a grain bin in Minnesota. He was life-flighted 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 on 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.
"Every baby step is encouraging to see," Heidi Tormaschy said of Toby's progress. "But it also shows how far he has to go."
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.
"That's kind of been the most difficult part of his recovery," Heidi Tormaschy said.
What has been a big help in Toby's recovery is the farming community that has come around him. Heidi has been impressed how farmers from around Omaha, where Toby receives treatment at Quality Living Inc., are 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.
"It's been good for him even just to get out of town ... being around those sights, those smells, which are all memory triggering," 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 4 Maids A-Milking name. That business was "beyond successful," but the operation has been paused following Toby's injury. The business Facebook page , which was a place to share about the milk business, has now become a place for regular updates on Toby's 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.
"All being together, in the same house, just the very basic, mundane, routine things are what we miss the most," 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's 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. on Wednesday, Jan. 15, 2025, at the Ramada in Bismarck.
"We 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," Denise Rohweder, silent auction coordinator, wrote in a news release.
You can reach Rohweder at 701-321-0162.
