Zoe Coder, formerly a catcher and right fielder for the West Salem Panthers, suffered a traumatic brain injury in a 2022 car accident.
Since that near-fatal incident two years ago, Zoe has been on a challenging road to recovery. She credits her progress to “hard work in therapy, the unwavering support of my softball team, and the incredible encouragement from my family.”
Zoe’s mother, Jamie Coder, emphasized their approach: “We’re with her 100 percent. Our focus is on taking each day as it comes, cherishing the moments we have. It’s about learning from the past, living in the present, and hoping for the future.”
The West Salem Panthers and the American Legion Post 51 softball teams have embraced Zoe’s journey, making it a part of their identity. Sydney Learson, Zoe’s friend and teammate, explained the significance of the dinosaur symbol: “The dinosaur became her spirit animal, a symbol to keep her in our hearts and minds. We added little dinosaur legion stickers to our helmets to remind us that she was still with us.”
Returning to softball was difficult for Zoe. “It was hard to come back. I was very sad that I couldn’t play anymore,” she admitted.
However, on Wednesday, Zoe participated in her first official game since the accident. After substituting for the runner on third, Zoe scored the first run for West Salem. As she crossed the plate, her smile was wide, and her teammates cheered and congratulated her as she returned to the dugout.
“It felt real, like I was a softball player again for the first time in a long time,” Zoe shared. Though uncertain about the future, she is determined to enjoy softball in every way possible and continue her recovery day by day.
traumatic brain injury in car accident which left her…
