Megan Mullet comes from a long line of doers. On Saturday, Nov. 20, at the Dalton YMCA, the doers rested while a new generation of volunteers came to their aid.
Mullet, 24, was critically injured in a car accident, Sept. 16, while on her way to her job as a Title One teacher at Berlin Elementary. Less than three weeks before the accident, Megan and her husband Mike moved into their first home, in Kidron. Megan was starting a new job in the East Holmes School District and continued coaching gymnastics at the Dalton YMCA, something shes done for six years. That all came to a screeching halt when her car was broadsided at the corner of Kidron and Harrison Roads.
Megan ended up at Aultman Hospital, where her spleen was removed, and it was discovered she had suffered three fractures in her pelvis and serious nerve damage. While two of the fractures are healing well, the third has yet to begin the healing process. She must use a walker to get around the couples home, and a steady stream of visitors from their church and families have brought them meals, visited, given their families breaks in caregiving and tried to take Megans mind off the excruciating pain shes been in.
Normally, Megan Mullet would be one of the doers. A former Girl Scout who was active in gymnastics before becoming a coach, she was also involved in the music program at Tuslaw High School. Her parents, Jerry and Michele Speicher, of Dalton, were also active volunteers for school events of their two children, and for the Boy and Girl Scouts.
In Dalton, the Speicher name is synonymous with volunteering. From the Dalton Presbyterian Church to the Dalton Volunteer Fire Department to Dalton schools, Ed and Lavonne Speicher and their five children have been there, for so many others. Helping out for the Speichers is never done in a flashy way, just offering a hand to get the job done. Ed, Megans grandfather, served for decades on the volunteer fire department as assistant chief. There havent been many church projects that Eddie hasnt been involved with, and Lavonne, former longtime head cook for the Dalton schools, was famous for her culinary skills at the firemens ham dinners and Christmas candy fundraisers. There wasnt a booster club at Dalton that didnt benefit from the Speichers, plus countless individuals who have reaped the blessings of quiet Speicher generosity.
However, Ed and Lavonne and their children and grandchildren were mere observers on Nov. 20, as the staff, parents and children of the Dalton YMCA gymnastics program hosted a benefit breakfast to help offset Megans medical bills. Also taking a well-earned break were Mike and his family. For the Speichers and Mullets, it was a time to let someone else do the tasks at hand.
Not only have the gymnastics folks helped the Mullets, Megans employer has as well. East Holmes Local Schools arranged for her sick days she accrued while working as a long-term sub at Rittman to be transferred, and EH staff also donated sick time. Megan calls the EH administration amazing, adding they worked it out so I can keep my insurance, since she was such a new employee.
Mike, who is a special education tutor for Orrville City Schools, described the past two months as tiring, but added, its made our relationship stronger. Its been difficult--sleepless nights and doctor visits.
However, Mike added, everyones been fantastic. Weve had meals nearly every day. People at Martins Creek (Mennonite Church, where the couple attends) have stopped by. We appreciate the prayers and good thoughts. Mike said many visitors have helped keep Megans mind off of the pain shes been in since the accident.
Megan hopes to return to her job at Berlin Elementary after Christmas break. Mike said as she recovers, she can get around on the first floor of the couples home in Kidron, but she cant carry anything and is just starting to dress herself.
During a time of recovery and caregiving, Megans family has also suffered much grief. While Megan has been on the mend, her grandmother, Doris Fahrni, was getting sicker. Michele Speicher would have to divide her time between caring for her daughter and her mother. On Nov. 1, Doris Fahrni, herself a former Girl Scout leader, died.
Saturday morning, Jim Fahrni sat beside his granddaughter Megan. Watching her daughter talk to young gymnastics students who wanted to share their latest news, a tearful Michele Speicher said, she loves those kids. Thats the main thing.
Its a love of helping and sharing that Megan Mullet has honestly inherited, and hopefully, in a few months, shell be right back in the Dalton YMCA and Berlin Elementary, doing what comes naturally.
