On Friday, June 13, 2025, a well-organized, well-attended, take-away meal fundraiser began at 4:30 p.m. Held by Morrison Southside School staff, the event was to support a recent Rock Falls High School graduate, Dylan Wescott, who was paralyzed after an accident during a March track meet.
Eighty sandwiches had been planned for grilling: pork chops, beef patties, and hefty hotdogs. Vehicles snaked through the Whiteside County Fairgrounds in Morrison, IL, towards the Whiteside County Livestock Feeders’ Pavilion.
At 6:10 the Editor arrived at the site and was greeted by volunteer Zach Modglin. He advised, “They are running out of food,” and he estimated only 40 sandwiches were left. Several cars preceded the Editor’s, but she decided to remain in line, make a donation (with or without receiving a meal), and interview the event participants. Sell-out was announced before 6:30.
While competing in a Track Meet on Saturday, March 15, Dylan sustained spinal cord and vertebrae injuries. One vertabra was crushed. Two were fractured and moved out of place, pressing on–and damaging–the spinal cord. He was treated at CGH Medical Center, Sterling, IL, then Rockford, IL, and next to Shirley Ryan AbilityLab in Chicago, IL, to start rehabilitation.
The Editor asked Susan Wilkens how Dylan was doing now. She teaches at Southside School with Nicol Wescott. “He’s making good progress!” Wilkens reported.
Retired and current Staff are photographed with volunteer Andy Hensen. Left-to-right are Anita Dobbins, retired; Megan Modglin; Sue Keime, retired; Korby Hubbard; Jennifer Schipper; Wilkens.
Grilling was in the hands of Morrison Athletic Boosters men outside the pavilion. Inside, these helpers constructed each $8 meal bag with sandwich, chips, cookie, and water. Southside Staff wearing “Dylan Strong” t-shirts, left-to-right, include Devin Darsiden; Sheila Richmond; Amanda Milder; Tracy Hensen; Andrea Wolever; Emily Kirkland; Amber Wright.
Brian Wescott noted his wife and son were in Omaha, NE, where the boy is receiving intensive rehabilitation therapy at QLI. When Dylan returns, “He may go three times a week to Chicago out-patient therapy again, with Shirley Ryan AbilityLab.”
He offered details about his son’s status. “He is paralyzed from the mid-chest down. [During surgery] steel plates replaced damaged vertebrae with a metal cage, around the spinal vertabrae in his neck. [Dylan] could nod, but he has limited motion to the side. He will turn his torso and shoulders to look to the side. He has function of his arms.” Finger control can be a problem. Dylan uses a hand device to hold a stylus, which allows him to operate a phone and computer.
Attending family members included, left-to-right, Nicol’s mother, Grandmother Linda Webb; Brian’s brother, Bruce Wescott; Brian’s mother, Grandmother Sally Wescott; Grandfather, Tom Wescott; Dylan’s father, Brian.
Daughter Madison Wescott, age 22, is a graduate of Northern Illinois University, who aids the family with a summer business she has operated for three years. She and Brian each drive a mobile trailer to sell fresh-squeezed lemonade, from spring to late fall. Their routes include Carroll, DeKalb, Lee, and Whiteside Counties. Madison employs college youth and friends in the summer; this year, staff are filling in for Brian. In the fall she will enter Northern Illinois University School of Law.
Numerous fundraisers have generated money, which is being used for accommodations and construction at the family home. They will need a wheelchair accessible vehicle. They are remodeling the bathroom to be wheelchair accessible; switching carpeted floors to smooth wood; widening doors; installing an aluminum ramp at the front door.
“It was donated by the Illinois VA. We have a whole bunch of people [who] are doing a lot of things for us!” Brian works for the Candlelight group of 13 bars, grills, and banquet facilities. His Boss, “Matt Prescott allows me to take care of what I need to do.”
The t-shirts advise, “Never Give Up.” Dylan and his family are taking that to heart!
Editor’s note: Donations by check or cash can be made to the “Dylan’s Journey” account in person at these Sterling, IL, Sauk Valley Banks: SVB West, 201 W. Third Street; SVB East, 3319 E. Lincolnway; SVB North, 2403 N. Locust Street. Donations also are accepted at Rock Falls Sauk Valley Bank, 904 First Avenue.