Dylan’s Journey: Rock Falls student athlete Dylan Wescott is progressing after breaking neck

After suffering a broken neck in an accident at a track and field meet that left him partially paralyzed March 15, Rock Falls senior Dylan Wescott is making progress after multiple surgeries.

Dylan is rehabbing at the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab in Chicago after being relocated there Wednesday from Javon Bea Hospital in Rockford.

Dylan had two cages inserted to stabilize his neck and a vertebra was replaced with a titanium plate. He went through about 12 hours of surgery in a period of just more than 24 hours. He still is paralyzed from about the chest down.

Dylan’s aunt, Kim Kilday, helped organize a GoFundMe page called “Dylan’s Journey at Shirley Ryan AbilityLab in Chicago“ that has so far raised more than $11,000. Updates on Dylan’s recovery can be followed in a Facebook group called Dylan’s Journey, which provides additional ways to support his recovery, including a Venmo account. Donations also can be made in person at Sauk Valley Bank in Rock Falls under a “Dylan’s Journey” account.

Kilday said Dylan is a fighter. Being young, healthy and strong is in his favor, according to the doctors.

After limited movement the past couple of weeks, Dylan was able to sit in a wheelchair Thursday and receive assistance from a Hoyer lift.

“For his first day there, that’s already tremendous progression,” Kilday said.

Dylan is on the 21st floor at the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab, which is one of two floors dedicated to treating hands.

“Their main focus right now is to try to get his fingers working,” Kilday said. “He can raise his arms, he can move his wrists, but his fingers, that fine motor skill is gone.”

Being at the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab, considered a leading rehabilitation hospital in the nation, hopefully will lead to more good news, but it is a one-step-at-a-time process.

“We would love to have a full recovery,” Kilday said. “But like I said right now, we’re focusing on his hands. … We’re just asking for prayers and miracles, that’s what we’re doing.”

Doctors are doing all their preliminary work and planning what comes next for Dylan. He has physical therapy, occupational therapy, a respiratory support team and other rehab ahead.

The injury happened when he was doing his practice run-throughs in the triple jump, competing at his first meet of the season at the Westwood Sports Complex, an indoor facility in Sterling. He was just coming off basketball season with the Rockets, who finished their state run to the Elite Eight five days before the track and field meet. Dylan also plays golf and has been a three-sport athlete throughout high school.

During the run-through, Dylan tripped on some sand toward the end of the pit, losing his balance and tumbling forward headfirst into a padded brick wall, which is just a few feet after the sand pit.

Dylan was briefly unconscious after the collision. When he came to, he had no feeling in his legs.

Kilday said Dylan knew almost immediately what had happened when he regained consciousness. His mom, Nicol, was there during the meet.

“He’s like, mom, I broke my neck. I can’t move,” Kilday said. “He knew immediately that it was bad.”

Kilday said Dylan is dealing with the “ICU blues,” but everything is OK otherwise mentally.

“He’s totally my same old nephew,” Kilday said. “Quick, witty, one-liners. He’s been awake and coherent.”

His family and some friends have been able to visit, and Dylan’s dad, Brian, has been by his side the whole time outside of a visit to his hotel. Brian works at the Candlelight Group and Dylan’s mom, Nicol, is a teacher at Southside Elementary School in Morrison. Dylan’s sister Madison is a senior at Northern Illinois University and is close to graduating in May.

The community support and messages have helped lift Dylan’s spirits and make him smile. Local sports teams, businesses, friends and even strangers have helped support his recovery. “Dylan Strong” bracelets and shirts have been made.

“Overwhelming is the only word we have,” Kilday said. “The way that Sterling and Rock Falls and the whole community comes together, it’s been very supportive. Even strangers. People are donating and Venmoing money to Dylan with little notes wishing him well and saying that they’re praying for him.

“Everybody’s just touched our family.”

“It’s going to be a long road, but he’s a fighter and he won’t quit,” Kilday said. “He’ll work his tail off, just like he always does.”