Community builds ramp, starts fundraisers for boy hit by car

*Reporter's note: This article originally published in the June 24, 2021 edition of The Shelbyville News. Hannah is particularly proud of this article because it highlights how much Shelbyville, Indiana really comes together to help those in need. 

By Hannah Gunnell

Several Shelbyville residents came together to build a ramp and start fundraising for the 8-year-old boy hit by a car last week and his family, the Turner Family.

The boy was hit near the steep hill and turn on S. Riley Highway after a car left the road. He was walking with his two teenage siblings at the time.

The boy is recovering at Riley Children’s Hospital from two broken femurs, a broken hip, a hernia, a laceration to his intestinal wall (his intestines were eviscerated), and a punctured aorta, according to family members, who have asked to remain unnamed in this article.

“He’s doing good,” his uncle said. “He’s doing physical therapy twice a day. From what I understand, he’s in better spirits and everything. He seems to be doing OK.”

“It’s going good,” said his grandma, who takes care of the boy and his siblings. “They’re teaching him how to use a wheelchair because he’ll be in it a long time. It’s also how to take care of himself and that’s going well.”

His grandmother said Wednesday morning that the boy was supposed to go home that afternoon.

Members of the Shelbyville First Church of the Nazarene came together to build a ramp for the boy that leads from his driveway to the door of his house. His grandmother said she was amazed at the project.

“I had an older son that was a burn patient, so we had a little bit back then but we didn’t have social media like we do now,” his grandma said. “I am amazed at all the people who have reached out and check on us daily and ask if there’s anything we need.”

Neighbor Deena Caldwell, along with Katie Weber, began organizing a fundraiser to help pay for the supplies for the ramp.

“I was trying to get donations for the wood and to get people to build it,” Caldwell said. “Katie Weber ... and I are getting people to prepare meals for the family for the three other kids right now.”

“They come and swim, we play baseball in my front yard with [the boy],” she added.

Caldwell and Weber started a Meal Train page where anyone interested can donate money. The page can be reached at https://www.mealtrain.com/trains/k5vo5d/donate/

Caldwell said anyone who would like to donate food, gift cards, or money in person can reach out to her at 317-695-3850.

“Keep the family in your prayers,” Caldwell said. “The little boy has a long recovery and any donations will help.”

In addition to their fundraiser, resident Stephanie Field set up a gofundme page for the Turner family.

“I just really want the whole community to get together and help them,” she said.

This fundraiser is aimed at helping their medical bills and obtaining a car big enough for the boy – he is unable to bend his legs and his hips because of his injuries, so he has to always be lying down, Field said.

“She was looking for a suburban, where she could have him in one bench seat, and still have room for the other kids,” Field said. “It has to be a vehicle big enough for him to have a whole row to himself, and another row for [his siblings].”

The gofundme link can be reached here: https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-8-yr-old-darryl-turnerauto-accident-recovery.

“If any family needs help, this is the model family,” Field said.

The family thanked those who have reached out and helped.

“To me, it’s overwhelming,” said the boy’s uncle. “The outpour is hard to describe. You don’t realize – I’m just very thankful for what the community is doing for our family.”