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.