On March 9th, my Uncle Brad left his house on MM HWY in Dixon heading out to Skyline Cycles at Buckhorn to sell his bike. My brother was following him driving Brad's truck. Once they were in Dixon city limits and passing the Dixon Country Mart, a lady turned accross lanes right in front of him and hit him almost head on. My brother watched the whole accident. There was no reason for her to do this and we later found out she admitted to officers she seen the motorcycle and thought she could beat it so she turned in front of him. When her van hit him, he was thrown up almost over the top of her van and landed a good 50 on the other side it. As all of this is happening, my brother was talking to my mom on the phone who just happened to be in the Country Mart with me. She was talking to him and he said "someone has just hit Uncle Brad". Mom and I left our carts in the aisle and ran out of the store and the accident was right there. As soon as my brother got the truck stopped he immediately ran up to Uncle Brad to make sure he was ok. He was able to tell my brother his arm or wrist was broke and he was having alot of back pain. Once the EMT's arrived, he was taken to PCRMC and then eventually transported to St. John's-Mercy hospital in Springfield. His arm was broken just above his wrist, his pelvis was broke, several broke ribs and his leg was also broken. He was in the hospital in Springfield for over a week where he underwent several surgies and started physical therapy. He has since been transported to an assisted living facility in St. Robert where he is having physical therapy almost every day. Every day he is doing much better. He has had many visitors and that really seems to keep his spirits up. He was very very lucky the day of his accident.
Brad's wife Diane has also been battling breast cancer over the past year. She has surgery and had one breast removed and also had several chemo and radiation treatments. She continues to follow up with her physicians and has testing performed to make sure there are no more spots. She went last week for another check up and found out she has to have another biospy as they have found another suspicious spot.
I have always been close to Uncle Brad and wanted to do something for him and Aunt Diane. So we are hosting a Benefit Yard Sale/Bake Sale at the Doolittle Community Center April 28th from 8:00-4:00pm. We have been taking donations for yard sale items as well as bake sale items. We have a brand new Henry Lever Action 22 and a full size quilt we have been selling raffle tickets on. The day of the benefit, we will also be selling 50/50 tickets, my best friend is a photographer and she is setting up the day of the event and taking pictures, and we will possibly be having a silent auction. We have had many volunteers and people/friends who have donated things. We thank everyone who has helped and offered to help with our event. Everything greatly appreciated. We are very fortunate to have such good/close family and friends.
Who is Brad?? Well Brad is from Jerome/Dixon. He is the son of the late Fred Bell of Doolittle/Jerome. Brad grew up in Jerome and later moved to Dixon where he met Diane. Brad LOVES the outdoors, hunting and fishing, taking care of his chickens, and spending time with his family and friends.
This photo was taken at my wedding.
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