Weekend fundraiser helps motorcycle accident victim

WASHINGTON – The Wagon Wheel Tap in Washington was packed Saturday night with people who came to support for Brian Waddell, a 39-year-old Washington man seriously injured in a motorcycle incident over the summer.

The money raised Saturday will go toward Waddell's medical expenses and to support his children. Organizers held a silent auction, sold raffle tickets to prizes, plates of food, and T-shirts bearing Waddell's name. Disc jockey Dan Peacock played music for all to enjoy.

According to information supplied by the organizers of the benefit, Waddell is in 'severe-critical condition” after losing control of his motorcycle while driving near Fairfield on the night of Aug. 24. Waddell was taken to the Jefferson County Health Center and then taken by helicopter to the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics in Iowa City.

'Due to the traumatic nature of his injuries, that seem to only be getting worse over time, it may forever remain a mystery how, exactly, this took place,” stated a poster advertising the benefit.

Brian's mother, Eva Kolosiek, said he suffered a couple of slightly fractured vertebrae, but the most damage was done to his head.

'He's not paralyzed, but he's got a traumatic brain injury,” Kolosiek said.

Brian's outlook did not look good at first. In fact, the accident put him in a coma. Doctors told the family he was not likely to wake from it. Three weeks after the accident, doctors suggested withdrawing life support.

'We were like, ‘Hold on a minute. He's young and has no underlying health issues,'” Kolosiek said.

A couple days after doctors told the family there was no hope, Brian woke up.

'Everything they said he couldn't do, he's proven them wrong,” Kolosiek said.

Brian's twin brother, Brad, gave an update on his brother's condition Saturday. Brad said his brother is 'still messed up” from his injuries, and that he remains in the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics in Iowa City.

'He's alert and awake, but he's not independent. He's not walking,” Brad said.

Brad said doctors removed Brian's ventilator and now have him breathe through his trachea. The family plans to move Brian to the care facility On With Life in Ankeny to continue his recovery. There, Kolosiek said his rehabilitation will go to the next level.

'He's not going to be just lying in bed getting turned every two hours,” she said. 'They will shower and dress him in regular clothes and get him used to doing normal things again.”

Kolosiek said Brian is not talking yet, but the speech therapists have been working with him on that front. She said he's made some guttural sounds like he's trying to clear his throat.

Those who wish to help Brian and the Waddell family can donate to his GoFundMe page at GoFundMe.com/f/brian-waddell-fund. The page indicates it has raised $4,420 of its $5,000 goal.