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Wil Eaton is a 22 year old man that loves life. At his young age, he has accomplished great things that many people never get to do. He has had a job since high school as a lifeguard, he was fluent in American Sign Language, he loved to draw, sing, do tumbling, and CrossFit Training. In 2017, Willie traveled as a missionary to the remote tribes in Papua New Guinea and lived there for 3 months.
He discovered a new passion in life, and came back with a strong desire to pursue more missionary work. The following year, Willie enrolled in an Intensive Bible School in Mexico where he studied the Bible for 9 months. He was preparing himself to go on his next missionary trip as a leader.
On November 29, 2018, Wil was stationed in Kona, Hawaii getting ready to lead a second missionary group to Papua New Guinea, but that day we got the call that no family ever wants to receive. Wil was involved in a catastrophic Moped accident. While driving home he was cut off by a car and was flung head first into a telephone pole. When he regained consciousness, he had no feeling or movement in his arms or legs. Witnesses at the accident scene helped him call emergency personnel and his family, and stayed by his side until the ambulance arrived.
He was immediately taken to the nearest emergency room then airlifted to Queen’s Hospital in Honolulu, where he underwent emergency spinal surgery. He fractured his 3-6 cervical vertebrae, and dislocated his 6th vertebrae which entered the spinal canal and damaged his spinal cord causing swelling and damage all the way up to his 4th cervical vertebrae. Due to his injuries, Willie was left a quadriplegic. He remained at Queen’s Hospital in the ICU for 3 weeks and then was transported, via an arrangement with Angel Flight, to Craig Hospital in Colorado. Craig Hospital specializes in rehabilitation for Spinal Cord Injuries and Traumatic Brain Injuries.
Willie’s mom and sister have been by his side since the accident happened. They were designated his full time care-givers and his sister has quit her job, as an ER nurse, to care full-time for her brother. Willie spent 3 months at Craig where he was taught life-skills to learn how to function with his disability, and his mom and sister were taught the care that was needed for him.
Presently, Wil has some movement in his right arm up until his wrist, and is paralyzed from the chest down. Returning home has not been easy. They face the challenges of his home not being very wheelchair accessible. They’ve made a few modifications to make things work, but hope to be able to move within the next year to a fully wheelchair accessible home. Family and friends have gathered around the Eaton family to help them raise funds for a wheelchair accessible van easing a bit of the burden. They are very grateful for this help.
Looking ahead, our family would like to provide Wil the best chance at rehabilitation. Some of the short term needs are:
•To enroll in a Next Step Fitness. Next Step is a rehab and fitness center accessible to individuals living with paralysis. They offer standardized activity-based therapy programs and interventions, based on research; to provide the best chance for recovery, independence, and health.
•To purchase a special bike, called a FES bike (Functional Electrical Stimulation). The FES bike sends electrical pulses to his paralyzed muscles so they can contract and not atrophy so that when he heals his muscles can be strong enough so he can stand and walk. It also helps promote good cardiovascular health, and helps with his circulation to promote wound healing. Having the FES bike at home can insure that Wil gets this treatment on a daily basis.
•To purchase a special mattress that helps turn Wil throughout the night while he is sleeping. This mattress also helps with circulation to decrease the chances of pressure wounds. People with paralysis have a higher risk of developing skin problems and this mattress would help alleviate that.
Unfortunately, even with insurance, Wil has many out of pocket medical related expenses that insurance will not cover. Because of this, Wil’s family and friends have started a fundraising campaign through Help Hope Live. This nonprofit organization has worked for more than 35 years with the organ/tissue community and in 2000, they expanded their mission to assist those who have sustained a catastrophic injury such as Wil’s.
All donations made to Help Hope Live in Wil’s honor go to help his injury-related expenses. Donations are tax-deductible. If the donation is made by check, 96 cents of every dollar goes to Willie’s uninsured expenses. If the donation is made by credit card, 93 cents of every dollar goes to his uninsured expenses. Any contributions will be greatly appreciated and will help Wil on his way to recovery.
Thank you in advance for your donations and support of Willie during this difficult time. Together we can make a difference for Wil.
Sincerely,
The Eaton Family
To make contributions by check:
Make checks payable to:
Help Hope Live
Note in memo section:
In honor of Wil Eaton
Please mail to:
Help Hope Live
Two Radnor Corporate Center
100 Matsonford Road, Suite 100
Radnor, PA 19087
To make contributions by credit card:
To make a tax-deductible donation to this fundraising campaign, click on the GIVE button. Consider sharing this page with friends and family so they may make a donation.
Thank you for your generous support and prayers for Wil and our family. Your support is greatly appreciated.
The Eaton Family
For more information, please contact Help Hope Live at 800.642.8399.
Thank you to everyone for your kind donations. We are very grateful for your support! To give you an update, Willie has began Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy at Rancho Los Amigos Hospital in Downey, Ca. once a week. He has been encouraged to start therapy again.
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Love you Will love Albert and Fabby
Fabiola Guerra
Hello Will and Eaton family, I am a friend of Will’s aunt and she shared this link on her social media page. I hope you get the amount raised to start physical rehabilitation services. Will be praying for you all ! - Jasmine
Jasmine Mirdamadi
Love you all!
Robbi Barbieri
Best to you! I look forward to updates !!!❤️
Anonymous
Wil, We wish you all the best in your recovery, our thoughts and prayers are with you. Your Friends, The Maloof's Brian, Monika, Brett and Brelehn
Monika Maloof
In hopes this donation will help the family of one of the strongest men we have the pleasure of calling a friend. With love, Dave Kerns & Heather Locke
David Kerns
In hopes this donation will help the family of one of the strongest men we have the pleasure of calling a friend. With love, Dave Kerns & Heather Locke
David Kerns
I pray for you every day Willie Boy! The Lord has His plans for you! Just know you are loved and well respected for all you do to serve the Lord. Love you!!
Margie Nuno
Wil, you are in our prayers and we are praying for the best outcome. Remember you are in GODS hands.
Richard Freymond
Love you Wil and praying for you and the family every day. ❤️
Bret, Peggy and Molly Holloway
GOD'S GOT THIS !
Danny Goodro
We ❤️ You Wil! This is to go towards the mattress that would make you more comfortable and help your body heal
Dee Crossen
Love you so much Willie! You are such an inspiration. I am praying for you to get better and better everyday! I pray God will provide for all of your needs!!
Sandra Manriquez
Make checks payable to:
Help Hope Live
Note in memo:
In honor of Wil Eaton
Mail to:
Help Hope Live
2 Radnor Corporate Center
Suite 100
100 Matsonford Road
Radnor, PA 19087
Subscribe to this campaign to receive updates.
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