Help 8 yr old Darrel - hit by Auto - long recovery

Hi, my name is Stephanie, and I’m organizing this fundraiser for an 8 year old little boy, who was hit by an out of control vehicle.

Good news update on Darrel, the 8 y/o little boy who was hit by a vehicle last Tuesday.

First, he’s being released today from Riley’s.

His grandmother has not left the hospital, and brothers & sister are looking forward to welcoming him home, where their aunt & uncle have been taking turns caring for them while working themselves. It’s a real family effort.

He’s had multiple surgeries, and for a little guy who’d never been in a hospital since birth, he’s doing extremely well.

Here is a quick rundown of what he’s been through so far:

Both legs (femurs) broken.

Hip - compound open fractures - caused a lot of issues, including internal injuries they had to address in multiple emergency surgeries. His open hip fractures lacerated the membrane of his intestinal wall, basically, his large intestine was evicerated - something he’d remarkably had the ability to convey to the medical team, who found it after further CT scan. Back into surgery, where that was repaired, as well as a tear in his aorta they’d also found - the largest artery in the heart & body. They are not sure of the extent of injury to his hearing and eyesight - that will be determined over time.

He now has titanium rods in his legs, and plates and rods were needed to repair his hip, as well.

He has road rash all over, as well as many other lacerations & contusions. He’s one tough cookie.

His prognosis is good; however, he will have to remain in a wheelchair for a full year, unable to bend his legs. To my knowledge, this is partly due to the type of injury, his age, growth plate, etc.. His grandmother, who’s been raising all 4 siblings, works 3 jobs. They’re insured, but the driver wasn’t. He will need multiple weekly trips to physical therapy, so they’ll have to get a vehicle that will hold him & his wheelchair - he will have to ride stretched out on his back in an entire bench seat.

They’ve been looking at a Suburban at Hubler Chevrolet. If the fund can help pay for at least a year’s lease, (unless a vehicle is donated, of course), that would be amazing.

The main purpose of the Go Fund Me will be to help with what’s ahead. Grandma won’t be able to work as much, as he’ll need round-the-clock care for quite some time. She will of course also incur many added expenses - of which insurance will mostly cover - but certainly not all. More surgeries and therapy will also be needed after this initial 12 months.

A ‘Go Fund Me’ will be live later today. We wanted to get all info together before it was published. Just waiting on final review, and I will post the link to it here and in “Unhinged”.

Let’s all gather together as a community to help this family. This could’ve happened to anyone.

For anyone curious:

The boys were walking as always taught in that area - no sidewalk, so they were going single file along the hillside. Darrel was 2nd in line. The driver lost control of his vehicle before he saw the child, and was unable to avoid hitting him. None of the boys were on the road. The candy he’d been asking about post-op, was simply him worrying about the candy he’d just bought at the store. He’s not allowed to have a bunch - more than enough has already been donated. First Church of the Nazarene has built a wheelchair ramp for their home, so that’s covered. They will need more construction for interior wheelchair access, possibly some bathroom modifications, so anyone qualified who’d like to help there, would surely be welcomed.

Thanks to all who can help - no amount is too small. These are GOOD, God fearing, hard working people, who are very involved with their church & community. ❤️