Edhat Staff
Wyatt Dennett (Photo: GoFundMe)
By edhat staff
A 20-year-old Santa Barbara suffered a severe spinal injury after falling from a third story balcony in Montecito last month.
Friends report that Dennett accidentally fell from the balcony during a house party on October 26. He landed on his neck and was rushed to the hospital.
Wyatt Dennett is currently being treated in Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital’s intensive care unit with heavy trauma to his spinal cord and several vertebrae. Initially, Dennett had no feeling below his shoulders and was on a respirator to assist with breathing. As of Monday morning, Dennett was taken off the respirator and has been able to communicate. According to a family member, he is able to move his neck and can feel parts of his arm, but nothing below that.
Gino’s Sicilian Express Pizzeria on W. Figueroa Street held a community fundraiser on Saturday with raising $1,500 for Dennett’s recovery. Friends and family also set up a GoFundMe fundraising page to assist with medical expenses. As of Monday afternoon, community members have raised over $30,000.
I shall say many prayers for him daily. I have a son and fear these types of injuries all the time.
They are always are babies. Worrying is my Mom job 24/7. Imagine if Mother’s got paid…
May great vibes keep going his way. Any improvement is a major step in his healing process.
This happens so regularly at I.V. house parties that there should be a warning sent out with the acceptance letter to freshman and prominent signs posted on these balconies.
You don’t need to donate, it’s voluntary. You also don’t need to be a jerk in the face of someone’s misfortune. That’s voluntary as well.
It is really unfortunate. That said, the homeowner and/or the party thrower will no doubt suffer the liability issue including their insurance paying the bills and a likely lawsuit. Not sure why a go-fund me account is necessary.
THEJAMIN – why did you feel the need to post that comment? Did you actually think about what this young man’s family would feel if they read that? Did you think at all?