Nearly two years ago, Emily Rader of Clyde was seriously injured in an automobile accident. At the time, she was a sophomore at Baldwin-Wallace College. The Clyde High School graduate suffered a brain injury from which she still is recovering.
Rader's friends and family have planned a fundraiser for her next Sunday in Clyde, with music by Wally and the Beavs. Ed Adams, who operates Forte Music in Tiffin and plays in the band, is Emily's uncle. He spoke about the physical challenges his niece has experienced since her injury and how much her life has changed.
"She's not talking yet. She's communicating through her iPad right now," Adams said. "It's a very, very slow process, and she's got quite a ways to go yet."
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Ed Adams poses for a picture with his niece Emily Rader. Area band Wally and the Beavs, which features Adams on trumpet, is to play at a benefit for Rader, who was seriously injured in an automobile accident two years ago.
After the accident, Rader spent 26 days in the University of Toledo Medical Center ICU and then was transferred to Elmwood at the Springs in Green Springs, Ohio. She had rehabilitation at Ohio State in the summer of 2011. Recently, she received therapy at the Shepherd Center in Atlanta.
"That was a short stint. They don't accept everybody, and insurance only covers it for so long. So she's back home," Adams said.
Shortly after the accident, one of the doctors told the family recovery from a brain injury is like a marathon, not a sprint. Unlike other injuries where recovery is a matter of months, a severe traumatic brain injury can take extensive therapy over a period of years for improvement to occur.
Fact Box
"Wally Rocks for Emily" is to take place at Clyde Eagles, 1120 S. Main St., Clyde. Doors open at 1:30 p.m. The Clyde FFA is to grill up a chicken dinner included in the cost of the ticket and a cash bar is available.
Items have been donated for a hat raffle. Prizes include a quarter of beef, cornhole boards and tickets for the Browns-Steelers game. Wally and the Beavs is to provide live music 2-5 p.m.
Tickets are $20 in advance and $25 at the door. They can be purchased at Our Towns Brewin' and Walter Binger Barber in downtown Clyde or from Forte Music in Tiffin. Checks can be made payable to "Emily Rader Fund" and mailed to Forte Music, 717 W. Market St., Tiffin OH 44883.
"A lot of people think it's like the soap operas, where someone's in a coma for two months and they wake up and say 'How are you?' It's not that way," Adams said.
The Rader Family has adapted their home to make it more accessible for Emily. Adams said her mobility is improving, but she needs assistance to get up and move about. The Raders also bought a van that can accommodate a wheelchair for transporting Emily to therapy. She plans to attend the benefit.
Adams said neighbors, co-workers, classmates, relatives, and friends have offered support to Emily. He already has sold many tickets at Forte, and was pleased the band was willing to play for the event.
"We've got kids of our own, but we wanted to do something to help them out," Adams said. "It is a good way to collect some funds for people you love."
