Bring Bill Home

If you know Bill Lada - even if you’d only crossed paths briefly - he likely left a lasting impression. An outgoing, engaging, caring, dynamic husband, father, and grandfather - whose life was forever changed a few weeks ago.

On Sunday, August 28th, Bill and a couple of his friends were completing a motorcycle road trip through South Dakota, fulfilling Bill's dream of taking an adventure to see Sturgis, Deadwood, and Mount Rushmore. The group was near the entrance of Hells Canyon, on their way to load their bikes on the trailer and return to Illinois, when Bill had a stroke and crashed.

Injuries were significant: broken ribs, a broken nose, and severe road rash all over his body. But most substantial: a traumatic brain injury that required immediate surgery and left him with more than 100 staples in his head. It took more than 24 hours for his family to even learn of the accident. He was in a coma for nine days - during which his wife was told to prepare for the worst. On the morning of September 7th, he opened his eyes and came out of the coma. He remains in the ICU far from home.

While his family is thankful and relieved about this development, there is still so much uncertainty about the future. Brain injuries are complicated and confusing. Bill is severely physically and mentally impaired - so different from the vibrant and expressive person who left his loved ones two weeks ago. Doctors say he will likely never speak or walk again. He will require around-the-clock care at a long-term rehabilitation facility.

Bill is known by many as an energetic, passionate, and successful high school running coach who was so proud to have helped his daughter’s HS cross country team win an Illinois State Title in 1998. His runners still talk about being able to hear his bellows and coaching from across the track or course. He always wanted to be a teacher and was at his best motivating and encouraging others to greatness. He was one of those “do-anything” guys who could build a house and replace your brakes. He even made a treehouse for his grandkids during the pandemic.

He enjoyed going to baseball games with his wife of 43 years, traveling for work and with his family, and spending time with his seven grandchildren who lovingly call him “Grampy.” He is exceedingly proud of his four adult children who are mourning and navigating the pain and uncertainty of the situation. They have all been making trips to and from South Dakota from the moment they learned of the accident - leaving their families and managing their work responsibilities remotely to support their Dad through his difficult situation.

The first major financial hurdle will be transporting Bill from South Dakota back to Illinois (or Wisconsin, where his family also lives) to continue the exhaustive long-term care and rehabilitation. The cost for this transportation is anywhere from 10K-30K. Then they’ll have to keep him in a traumatic brain injury in-patient facility for as long as necessary. It’s a cost Bill’s family simply can not manage on their own. Any assistance would go towards these expenses.