Wally Johnson Benefit Ride

On Wednesday, March 14th, our friend Wally Johnson was in a near-fatal motorcycle accident in Buffalo, MN.  His list of injuries included:

Skull fracture,
several facial fractures including nose, several jaw fractures
fractured ribs
both wrists shattered
fractured femur
fractured pelvis
bruised pancreas, kidneys and lungs.

Wally was airlifted to North Memorial Trauma Center in Robinsdale, MN...50 miles away from his home where he lives with his wife Naomi (my high school friend), and their two kids ages 12 and 9.

On March 15th, while he was still in a coma,  he had his first surgery to repair his femur, knee cap, wrist one and wrist two.

On Friday March 16th he had surgery to have a trach put in, then on Tuesday, March 20th he had is first of many facial surgeries to begin the process of rebuilding his face. His lower jaw was fractured in 5 places, his upper jaw was fractured in five places, each cheek bone and eye sockets had 4-5 fractures, his nose was not attached and had several fractures, the bone above his eyebrows had several fractures as well. His jaw was wired closed and a gtube (abdominal feeding tube) was put in.

Wally finally started coming out of his coma 2 1/2 weeks after his accident, and at the three week mark was  moved to a rehab facility, which is 25 miles away from their home.

Needless to say, this has been a very difficult time for their family. Not only emotionally, but the travel expenses back and forth for Naomi are adding up quickly, not to mention trying to divide her time between the hospital, the kids, and work now that she's returned.

On Saturday, May 19th there will be a benefit ride. The ride will start at

Delano Lanes
429 Babcock Blvd
Delano, MN 55328
763-972-3344

Registration starts at 10:30 a.m, kickstands up at 12:30. Ride will end at Delano Legion around 4:30-5:00 for dinner, beverages, silent auction and live music by The New Defective.