Perrysburg teenager does not let disease hold him back

Paula Sanford, left, from Northwestern Ohio Driving School, and Zac Zies, 16, of Perrysburg, right, who suffers from an illness called Friedreich's ataxia, start their driving lesson. Zies uses special hand tools to drive. THE BLADE/AMY E. VOIGT Enlarge | Photo Reprints

The ride was a little jerky at first, and the row of mailboxes seemed to come out of nowhere as Zac Zies, 16, navigated along a real road -- not like the empty parking lot where he practiced earlier. "We want all your neighbors to be able to get their mail tomorrow," said instructor Paula Sanford in a cheery tone.

But just an hour later, the Perrysburg teenager seemed more comfortable as he drove the silver Ford Taurus with special hand controls to stop and go, instead of standard acceleration and brake pedals.

"He's doing fine," said Ms. Sanford, who teaches people with special needs how to drive at Northwestern Ohio Driver Training School, Inc. "I think he's coming along really well."

For Zac, life is about driving lessons, playing video games with his friends, and building a computer from scratch -- the standard teenage-boy fare.

But, each day is also full of challenges as it becomes more difficult for Zac to get around.

Zac has a condition called Friedreich's ataxia, a rare disease that damages the nervous system. The disease, which has no cure, affects one out of every 50,000 people in the United States, according to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. To help Zac, his classmates at Perrysburg High School and Penta Career Center have organized a fund-raiser to send him on a trip to Australia and New Zealand through the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

The high school junior has used a wheelchair since sixth grade and sleeps on the main floor of his family's home because it's too difficult to get up the stairs.

Zac Zies and his mother Susan Zies, right, reminisce about the first time they drove together with Zac driving. THE BLADE/AMY E. VOIGT Enlarge | Photo Reprints

"He has a deeper sense of wisdom than the average 16-year-old child does," said his mother, Susan Zies, who works as the family and consumer science educator at the Ohio State University extension office in Wood County.

This would be the second fund-raiser hosted by the schools. They raised $4,000 at the first event in November, and are hoping to raise $3,000 more to send Zac to Australia with his parents. His mother said the three would go either later this year or in 2013 -- Zac really wants to see New Zealand and has never been out of the country before, she said.

A lasagna and silent auction are scheduled from 5 to 7 p.m., Wednesday, at the career center, 9301 Buck Rd. Tickets are $8 and must be reserved by contacting Lisa Bell at lbell@pentanet.k12.oh.us.

People can call Ms. Bell at 419-666-1120, Ext. 1301, for more information.

The outpouring of community support, even from strangers, has touched Susan Zies, husband Gary Zies, and the rest of the family over the past several years, since Zac's diagnosis in 2001. "It makes a difference," said Mrs. Zies,.

When Zac was in second grade, his teacher thought he was a class clown, always falling down on purpose. His parents thought he was just a klutz.

But doctors at the Mayo Clinic determined he had Friedreich's -- a condition that affects his movement, his speech, even his heart.

Meghan Russell, an occupational therapist, has worked with Zac for the past eight years. Together, they work on day-to-day tasks, such as teeth brushing, and she pushes him to stay strong and be independent. Things Zac doesn't always want to hear.

"It's been an enormous adjustment for him," said Mrs. Russell of Dunbridge. "I know it's got to be hard for him."

But Zac, whose brown hair is dyed black and red, keeps a good attitude, Mrs. Russell said.

Zac went to prom with a date last year, spent several days away from home at church camp, and regularly attends high school basketball games.

"He's really starting to blossom," Mrs. Russell said. "He's doing things that kids outside wheelchairs do. He's realizing he can do these things. He's not going to be singled out or left out."

Contact Gabrielle Russon at: grusson@theblade.com or 419-724-6026.