116 3rd St SE
Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52401
Crash Victim's Co-Workers Launch Benefit For Paralyzed Toddler
Jul. 19, 2013 6:00 pm
CEDAR RAPIDS - The same week a Cedar Rapids man is charged in a crash that killed a young mother from Coggon, the late mother's paralyzed toddler marks a birthday.
On Thursday, Izabella Denny turned 2.
For most children, the second birthday is often one of an awareness of presents, plenty of sugary drinks, friends and activities.
Bella Denny turned 2 at University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, unable to move her arms and legs after the May 19 crash that killed her mother, Rachel Denny, 26.
"She's tough, she's strong," said Chris Denny, Bella's father.
Investigators have charged Brandon Schaul, 25, of Cedar Rapids with vehicular homicide while intoxicated among other charges after they say the pick-up truck he was driving hit Denny's minivan on Highway 13 north of Central City.
Rachel Denny was driving her daughter back from a late night emergency room visit in Cedar Rapids after Bella had developed stomach pains. Denny died in the crash and emergency workers found the 22-month old toddler unresponsive.
"She woke up three days later," said Chris Denny.
Bella survived but now the long journey is only starting for her father and her older brother, Isiah, 4.
Her father said, on Monday, he and Bella will drive to Chicago for a stay at Shriner's Hospital to start the next phase of rehabilitation for her tiny body. Chris Denny said the doctors are not optimistic that her spinal cord will heal but he did say his daughter is able to swallow and initate breathing.
While Bella tries to make strides, her mother's former co-workers are trying to raise awareness and, especially, funds to make a dent in a lifestyle that is forever altered for the Denny family.
"She was a wonderful, strong woman raising her two kids," said Diane De Groote, who worked alongside Rachel Denny at Channel Fusion in Hiawatha.
The company is backing a 14-hour benefit on Saturday, August 3, at the Chrome Horse Saloon in Cedar Rapids. Starting at noon, the Rachel and Bella Benefit will try and easy the unthinkable expense that will follow.
"This is a lifetime thing for Bella," said Desiree Bowers, Denny's former supervisor at Channel Fusion. "If she is going to be paralyzed from the neck down, they're going to need as much help as they can and we want to help her through the rest of her life. She's going to need a special wheelchair and a handicap-accessible house."
The following weekend, closer to Rachel Denny's hometown of Marengo, more activites are scheduled, including a benefit ride on Saturday, August 11 at the Bent Bucket in Blairstown.
For more information on these events:
Twitter: @rachelandbella
Facebook:
Daily Newsletters