Ely's Home Going Expenses

Ever had a great day turn into your worst nightmare?  Earlier in the day on Wednesday, 12/27/2017, my brother Equan “Ely” Lyons , a social butterfly, was out walking around the neighborhood and the shopping center down the street from the house and decided to give the coat off of his back to give to a homeless man. My mother was upset because he walked in with no coat on his own back and it was 20 degrees outside. A little later, around 8pm, I received an alarming text message from my mother about my big brother, Ely, who was struck by a car. Running off of adrenaline alone I rushed to the hospital to be by my brother’s bedside.

We waited in the emergency room, palms sweating and with our hearts beating. Fortunately, my brother Ely was still alive and thankfully we were able to talk to him. Of course, he was in a lot of pain but he was alive and some may call it fate but it was truly a blessing in our eyes. Then Thursday, 12/28/2017, his family and friends were right there to support him after his test results came back with a broken pelvis and a nose from the impact of the hit. The next day, it was time for surgery day on Friday morning of 12/29/2017 and we all, family and friends, were waiting for nothing but positive results. Our prayers were answered and the surgery was successful. His surgeon stated “for 2-3 months Equan Lyons will be in a wheelchair and unable to be mobile but will be able to walk normally and successfully after he has healed.”


       Our family began to make arrangements for assistance for when he was going to be discharged from the medical facility and was also keeping in contact with my brother early that morning about the transition. Tragically, as my mother was in the process of rearranging the house for Equan’s arrival to come home we received a call from my cousin, her niece. Tondrea Lyons was on her way to visit my brother at around 2:00pm on Saturday, 12/30/2017 but she was unable to go inside room 6C14, where my brother was receiving care. She called my mother and asked “Why are the doctors not letting me see go inside the room?” Then, my mother received a call from the surgeon stating he needed to see her ASAP. I told my mother to get in my car and I would drive her to the hospital so she would remain calm.

When we arrived we were not allowed in to see him as well. We waited in the family waiting room to receive news that we did not really want to hear. We asked a lady in a black sweater what her position was and she told us she was a Chaplain.. Unfortunately, we had an idea of what was going on.

                The doctor finally arrives and tells us that our beloved son, sibling, friend, mentor, legend and so much more had left us. He stated when my brother was standing up for physical therapy he collapsed and stopped breathing. We, family and friends, were not aware of his appointment set up with the physical therapist the day directly after his surgery.

                Now, we have a massive home going celebration to plan out. We are asking for your help and support in this trying time. I am so saddened, yet grateful that my brother has gained the coat he blessed the homeless man with on the day of the tragedy. We have faith that with your help, monetary or spiritual support, that we will somehow heal from this heartbreak and grow to love how our Ely loved each of us.