Joe Hornaday
It was a cold, bitter and rainy night when the life of Milan resident Dylan Eadens was changed forever.
After a horrific vehicle accident, then 19-year-old Dylan Eadens suffered tremendously. With mounting medical expenses during his hospitalization, recovery, therapies and special needs, a local group called the “Friends of Dylan” has come together for a fundraising event to help Eadens with the high costs.
According to Friends of Dylan coordinator Jean M. Stoddard, the fundraiser will be held from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 6, at the Milan VFW Post 6234, located at 107 N. Warpath in Milan. There will be a free-will offering supper and a multi-band music festival, featuring bluegrass music from the Wildwood Valley Boys, country music from Mills Run, rock music from Broken Image and catering by Wayne’s Meats. A raffle and silent auction will be held with items donated by local businesses and friends.
“His road to recovery is long, his convalescence is painful, his will to survive is strong,” Stoddard explained. “The life ahead of him will be filled with many challenges most people cannot imagine. Along with your heartfelt support and generous contribution for Dylan’s needs, we as friends, neighbors, family and community can help this shooting star continue to shine bright and be a beacon of hope and promise that with God, all things are possible.”
Eadens celebrated his 20th birthday on New Year’s Eve in the Burn Unit in a Cincinnati hospital, recovering after the accident in Delaware, Ind., on Dec. 13, 2009. He had recently become gainfully employed at BAE Systems of Fairfield, Ohio and was home to visit his family and friends for the weekend. He was on his way home on the cold, misty night when rain turned to ice and turned the roads into sheets of ice. Dylan Eadens lost control on the ice and wrecked. He was trapped and unable to free himself from the wreckage. The vehicle quickly erupted in flames and Eadens was burned severely. He lost both of his legs and suffered serious burns to his body.
Currently, Dylan Eadens is alive, awake, optimist and full of love, according to Stoddard.
“He is thankful and appreciative of the prayers and support shown to him and his family through this difficult time,” she explained.
As a new employee at his job, Eadens was not yet eligible for insurance, which is why the Friends of Dylan have organized the benefit.
