The Smile That Spoke Volumes
Zachary Wiederhold’s Legacy of Love and Strength
Over the past decade, we've shared countless stories of resilience—of children and adults with special needs defying the odds, touching hearts, and teaching us what it truly means to live with purpose. One such story is that of Zachary Wiederhold, a young man who inspired everyone he met. Born with semi-lobar holoprosencephaly (HPE)—a rare brain malformation where survival beyond infancy is uncertain—Zachary lived an incredible 30 years, full of love, laughter, and unwavering strength.
When Zachary was just three months old, his parents, Erich and Joan, were given devastating news. Doctors advised institutional care, saying Zachary would never thrive at home. But Erich and Joan chose a different path—one of hope, commitment, and deep love. They refused to let a diagnosis define their son’s life.
To keep Zachary at home, Erich made the life-changing decision to leave the military because it would be too difficult to move every three years and pursue nursing. As a parent of a child with severe disabilities, he spent years learning about community resources and the challenges families face. With both professional and personal insight, Erich is uniquely equipped to help families transition to in-home care. Today, he continues supporting patients and families as Branch Director at Entrusted Pediatric Home Care.
At home, Zachary was surrounded by love. His younger sisters became his joyful companions and “mini nurses,” always finding ways to make him smile. He made an impact with his sisters; Isabella is an RN working with special needs children and Liliana teaches in special education. Despite his challenges, Zachary thrived in his own way—attending school, graduating, walking the stage with his sister Miranda in 2014, and bringing joy into every room he entered. His smile was more than a facial expression; it was a connection to the hearts of others. Though he never spoke a word, he communicated in the most powerful language of all—Love.
Zachary found delight in everyday life. He adored the “Happy Birthday” song and lit up during family celebrations. He loved his nieces and nephews, and being included in the rhythm of family life.
To know him was to witness pure, unfiltered joy. To care for him was to learn patience, compassion, and what it means to love without limits.
Zachary’s journey reminds us that those with complex medical needs are not defined by their conditions; they are teachers, healers, and quiet warriors. His life was a gift, and his legacy is a beacon of hope for families told “there is no hope.”
Zachary Thomas Wiederhold
May 13, 1994 – May 29, 2024
To know any child with a disability is to be changed forever. Zachary changed us all.