SHD Reun 409 - Shodair Children's Hospital

Mention the term major depression,
and many people assume the condition applies
only to adults. As Montana's new Champion
Across America will tell you, this illness also affects
children. Eleven-year old Zach Bell has been
battling major depression for the past three years.
Today, Zach is a confident and creative fifth
grader, who loves to fish whenever he can.
Zach wasn't always able to separate himself from
difficult positions. In 2006, he was dealing with
some major stressors, which made his psychiatric
symptoms more serious and even potentially
dangerous. Zach was hospitalized
in Shodair's Acute Unit, where he
was diagnosed with three psychiatric
conditions: Post Traumatic Stress
Disorder (PTSD), Attention Deficit
Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), and
major depression. Zach spent four
months at Shodair, where he
received intensive psychotherapy,
medication, and individual,
group, and family therapies for
his depression.
Like any chronic illness, Zach
knows that depression may be a
life-long battle. This brave young
man is up for the challenge, and
continues with outpatient therapy as
well as medication management to keep on top
of his conditions. Zach lives with his grandmother,
Ann Tate, who says the difference in his behavior
after he returned from Shodair was unbelievable.
“He still has his ups and downs, like every child
does,” Ann said. “I'm really proud of him,”
she added.
The courageous way Zach has addressed his
challenges is why he was named Montana's 2009
Champion Across America, representing the state
and Shodair Children's Hospital. He joins 49 other
young ambassadors from across the nation
participating in the Children's Miracle Network's
Champions Across America program, which is
sponsored this year by Walmart and Sam's Club.
Spring 2009
Zach is the only champion in 2009 to represent
children's mental health issues.
Earlier this spring, Zach and his grandmother,
along with the champions from other states, visited
Washington D.C. and Walt Disney World in
Orlando, Florida, where they were honored at a
series of events. Zach's selection was announced
during a special send-off event in March at the Great
Falls Walmart, where Ann works as an associate.
In addition to receiving gifts from Walmart and
Sam's Club, Zach was surprised with a $500
Walmart/ Sam's Club gift card. Before Zach began
his shopping spree, he received
another honor: Great Falls Mayor
Pro Tempore Bill Bronson honored
Zach by declaring March 13 as
“Zach Bell Day” in the city.
Later that afternoon, Zach was
honored with proclamations from
the 2009 Legislature in Helena.
He ended his very busy day at the
Montana Logging Association's
spring meeting, where he was
presented with fishing gear. When
asked about the whirlwind of
events, Zach said simply: “I think
it's a little overwhelming and
very, very cool.”
A few days later, Zach and Ann flew to Orlando,
where they met champion children and their families
from across the country. These special ambassadors
and their families were treated to passes to Walt
Disney World theme parks and a variety of musical
entertainment. Zach even found himself dancing
onstage with Julianne Huff of “Dancing with the
Stars” fame.
Next, the champions flew to Washington DC, joined
by Miss America 2009 Katie Stam and country star
Mark Wills. The champions toured the White House
and met the President, who invited Zach and other
children to try out the new playset constructed for
first daughters Sasha and Malia Obama. “We were
the second people in the world to get to play on it,”
Zach said.
continued on page 4
3