4 Year Old Neako Shot & Paralyzed

Neako Pena, 4 and Kashton Pena, 1 lost their father, Nate Pena, on Monday June 18th in the shooting on Riley Drive. Both Neako and Kashton are left to live their lives without a father from this tragedy. Neako was shot in the chest and life flighted to a Peoria Hospital in critical condition.  Upon arrival Neako had two collapsed lungs and he was placed on a respirator. Doctors also discovered he was paralyzed from the waist down. Despite surgeries to remove a hematoma from his spine, Neako is still currently paralyzed. There is hope, that with treatment, things could get better in the next 12 weeks, but it does not look good.

These two young boys are left with an uphill battle for the rest of their lives.  My name is Matt Sweeney and I am from Bloomington, IL.  I am the uncle of Nate Pena and great Uncle of Neako and Kashton.  I am raising money which will go to my sister, Nate's mother, Stacy Sweeney and placed in a bank account she set up for the benefit of these two boys.  The money will be used solely for current and future medical expenses, long term care, rehab, and making everything wheelchair accessible and accommodating for Neako.