Paralyzed Lacey Firefighter: 'Go Big Blue'

Daniel Inglis, after a car accident on Christmas Eve, will be rooting for the Giants this Sunday.

“Daniel would like to say thank you, he will beat this and GO BIG BLUE!” his father, Daniel Inglis Sr. said in an e-mail. “We are diehard giants fans.”

Daniel Inglis recently received an autographed picture from Victor Cruz, the wide receiver for the New York Giants.

“He told Danny to stay strong and he is thinking of Danny,” Daniel Inglis Sr. said. “When I showed the picture to Daniel, he smiled from ear to ear it really lifted his spirits."

Daniel Inglis is based in the Surgical Intensive Care Unit at Bellevue Hospital in New York City, where he has been since the day of the accident. Inglis is now considered a quadriplegic, paralyzed from the neck down.

“They are a wonderful trauma center with the best doctors and caring nurses this small-town family has known,” Daniel Inglis Sr. said. “They go out of their way for Danny giving him the best care that is possible.”

An update on the “Support for Daniel Inglis” Facebook page reveals that Daniel Inglis had a good day on Wednesday, getting in a work out from a physical therapist. Daniel Inglis told the doctor that he had a tingling and throbbing feeling from his neck down. He was scheduled to see a neurologist today.

Medical issues have kept Daniel Inglis, a 2006 graduate, from being moved to a rehab center, Daniel Inglis Sr. said.

“The trauma was extreme to his body,” he said. “But he is young and strong, and no doubt he will persevere. His spirit is unwavering. He knows he has a long road ahead but he is going to give it his all. He has the drive and stubbornness of an Inglis, and anyone who knows us know there is no putting us down. We are a very strong family that will stick together no matter what is thrown at us.”

The family has been blown away by the support they’ve been shown, Daniel Inglis Sr. said. Several fundraisers are underway to help the family.

“I can't begin to tell you how many wonderful people have reached out to my family,” he said. “It is just so overwhelming every time we think about it. This unfortunate mishap has strengthened our faith in people and God.”

As a Union City police officer and a volunteer for the , fundraisers have been held across the state.

“We are so blessed and never realized the amount of people my son has touched--from our neighborhood, our town, from one tip of the state to the other, even across the country, we have had cards and well wishes sending their love and support,” Daniel Inglis Sr. said. “We have people we have never met cry and hug us, wanting to do whatever they can to help.”

It has been a rollercoaster of emotions, Daniel Inglis said. From the fundraisers to people helping with daily chores and making or bringing the Inglis family dinner, it has been “very humbling but extremely uplifting.”

“To say thank you seems never enough,” he said. “But to know that in this world that there are good, caring people, gives us the strength to do whatever it takes to get Daniel better. He knows that everyone is in his corner. We tell him everyday of the hard work everyone is doing.”

A benefit was held at the Forked River House Wednesday night and the support that came out was “overwhelming,” an update on the Facebook page read.

“It makes us so proud to say we are from Lacey Township,” Daniel Inglis Sr. said. “There is no better place to live and this time my family is going through just reaffirms that. Please tell everyone thank you.”

Fundraisers coming up include:

• The Lanoka Harbor Fire Company, which four Inglis’ are members of, will hold a Psychic Fair from 6 to 10 p.m. Feb. 10. Call (609) 242-1955 for an appointment.
• A benefit with food, entertainment and a Chinese auction will be held on March 10 at the Forked River House. Admission is $20.
• There is also an account open at TD Bank for Daniel. Make a check payable to the “Daniel Inglis Charity Fund” and stop at any TD Bank to donate. Checks also can be sent to the Inglis’ home at 708 Sinclair Ave. in Lanoka Harbor

At each of the following events, green ribbons will be sold for $1, and a green rubber bracelet in Daniel Inglis’ honor will be sold for $5.

“The Inglis family, they’ve gone all out for the Lanoka Harbor Fire Department and this township,” Jerry Conaty of Forked River said during a committee meeting earlier this month. Conaty has known the Inglis family his whole life.

“They’ve never stopped trying to do what’s best for this town and that fire department,” he said. “Dan can really use a lot of prayers, a lot of support and a lot of help. It’s going to be not only a long road for Daniel but also for the family.”

Continue to follow Lacey Patch for updates on additional events to be held.

To follow Daniel’s progress, “like” the “Support for Daniel Inglis” Facebook page. The page currently has 977 followers.