Ryon Richardson

AMBOY — As soon as Ryon Richardson, 20, of Harmon was out of diapers, his uncle Scott Vivian was taking him to the tractor pulls. They were a constant side-by-side duo on the track and in the pits. “I always called him the son I never had,” Vivian said.

But on Sept. 8, things will be a little different. Following an April 7 farming accident that almost took Ryon’s life, his uncle is now planning a party to support Ryon’s road to recovery and everyone is invited. “Ryon is always willing to help at the pulls and it’s kind of ironic that he’s going to sit at the Pulling for Ryon party, and everyone will be helping him. It’ll be an awesome event!” Vivian said.

The accident left Ryon with nearly half of his body and lungs covered in chemical burns due to an unexpected pressure release of anhydrous ammonia and his road to recovery has been arduous. Recalling that day, Ryon’s mother Stephanie Vivian-Richardson said, “I got the call no parent wants to have.”

After being life-flighted from rural Lee County to Rockford, and later to Chicago, Ryon’s life, mobility and eyesight hung in the balance for months. During his 68 days in the hospital, he had to relearn the basics - breathing, eating, speaking and walking. He also underwent eight skin graft surgeries, which surgeons say can take up to two years to fully heal.

“Those surgeries were more risky because of the lung issue,” Stephanie said. “They constantly reminded us, ‘He is a very, very sick boy.’”

On July 3, Ryon was released from in-patient care with the stipulation of continuing rehabilitation, which is about two hours away. The rehab includes speech, occupational and physical therapies and will last until his official release from care.

“They would like him to go daily but because of his lungs, he is only able to handle it three times a week,” Stephanie said. “There are constantly things that show up, residual effects, but like they told us early on, this is a marathon, not a sprint.”

Although Ryon is a long way from 100 percent in his recovery, he has amazed his doctors, Stephanie noted. “They told us if it wasn’t for his youth and health before the accident, he would not be here today.”

Happily, he is here today and he admits that it is a big deal. Despite everything, he is excited about the upcoming benefit being held in his honor. “It is all very humbling, all of the support we have gotten from everyone all over,” Ryon said. “I’m glad that I’m going to be there and can’t wait to see everyone.”

Multiple organizations, businesses and individuals have reached out to offer a hand in what Vivian said is going to be a monster of a party with plenty of fun for all ages.

The benefit will take place on Saturday, Sept. 8 from 10 a.m. until 10 p.m. at the Lee County Fairgrounds, 1196 Franklin Road, Amboy.

Schedule

$10 Gate entry fee, under age 12 free

Tractor pulls, two events, beginning at 10 a.m.

Food vendors 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

Kids activities noon-3 p.m., bounce house, face painting, games, archery and pedal pull

Bags tournament, 1 p.m. signup, 2 p.m. start

Beer garden, noon-10 p.m.

Bake sale, 10 a.m.-10 p.m. (or until supplies run out)

Paw Paw Lions Club chicken dinner, 5-8 p.m. (presale tickets $10 and $12 at the door)

Silent auction, noon-6 p.m.

Live auction, 7 p.m.

Band Rout ThirtyEight, 8-11 p.m.

50/50 raffles, music and more.