HIGHLAND, Ill. — The community rallied together for a Metro East teen on Saturday who was involved in a car crash in February and has not yet recovered.
The fundraiser "Battle for Brayden" lasted the entire day. The goal is simply to help his family cover medical bills.
The event included a 5k walk, yoga class, whiffle ball tournament, a hero run and more.
"They were worried he was gonna have some brain damage and struggle with walking and miraculously he is walking, he's speaking, he's able to play and have fun with his friends. So he's continually getting better," one supporter said during the event.
The crash occurred as Baer and his 16-year-old sister were heading to school. Another car struck their car.
The siblings were helicoptered quickly to an area hospital.
Baer suffered two collapsed lungs, a traumatic brain injury, and more. His sister was discharged later with a concussion, bruised ribs, crapes, and bruises.
"Even with all the odds against him, he won't give up," his family shared in a press release statement. " Miracles do happen."