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Community Corner

Lakeville South Senior Continues Therapy

Dillon Borowicz fractured a vertebra in a pool accident last month. He is paralyzed from the chest down.

An 18-year-old student who fractured a vertebra in a pool accident last month continues physical therapy at Sister Kenny Rehabilitation Institute in Minneapolis.

Dillon Borowicz, an incoming senior and football player, is recovering from recent surgery at Abbott Northwestern Hospital, during which five of his vertebrae were fused and two rods were inserted along his spine, according to his CaringBridge page.

He remains paralyzed from the chest down.

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Dillon’s spirits were lifted earlier this week when his school’s head football coach, Larry Thompson, and other members of the coaching staff visited him.

Dillon has been hospitalized since July 15, when he dove into the family pool and hit his head on the bottom. He initially was taken to Hennepin County Medical Center, then transferred to Sister Kenny.

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KEEPING IN TOUCH

Dillon’s family has been keeping his family, teammates, classmates and the rest of the world up to date on his progress through his CaringBridge page and his website, dillonborowicz.com.

As of Wednesday night, his CaringBridge page—a link is available on dillonborowicz.com—has logged more than 17,300 visits and 555 entries in the online guestbook. A handful of people also have made donations to the non-profit CaringBridge organization in Dillon’s name.

Dillon’s website provides information about the Lakeville South senior, as well as fundraising and volunteer opportunities. The site also is requesting stories and photos involving Dillon “to help keep him smiling.”

FUNDRAISING EFFORTS

As Dillion’s medical expenses are expected to be mammoth, his website provides a link for people to donate to the cause through wepay.com. As of Wednesday night, $250 had been contributed.

Other fundraising efforts are underway, as well.

His story received considerable media attention from Twin Cities television stations—including KARE11, WCCO and KMSP—for a fundraising motorcycle/vehicle ride that started and ended at the in Lakeville Aug. 18.

Two other fundraisers are planned:

• From 5 to 9 p.m. Sept. 19, , 18425 Orchard Trail, will donate 15 percent of all food sales from any guest who presents a fundraising ticket, which can be downloaded from dillonborowicz.com.

• A benefit at the Red Fox Tavern is planned for 12 to 6 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 14. Sponsors, volunteers and donated items for a silent auction are being sought.

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