Inglis Family Celebrates Son's Homecoming

Over burgers, pulled pork and balloons, friends and family celebrated the homecoming of Daniel Inglis.

“I love being home,” Daniel said on Saturday, while lying in a bed in his newly renovated bedroom.

Daniel, a 24-year-old Lacey native, was . He spent several months at the Surgical Intensive Care Unit at Bellevue Hospital in New York City and most recently,

The transition back home has been a hectic one as the family adjusts to a new schedule and caring for Daniel.

“It’s still kind of crazy,” Daniel said. “It’s getting things down to where it works for us.”

Aids and nurses visit daily. Daniel also undergoes physical therapy and occupational therapy at home.

“We’re getting adjusted to everything at home,” Daniel’s father Daniel Inglis Sr. said. It’s been pretty crazy but it’s really great having him home.”

Having Daniel home means less traveling from Lacey to Kessler. Daniel’s mother Lynn and Daniel Inglis Sr. coordinate waking up throughout the night to help, Daniel Inglis Sr. said.

“He’s getting better,” Daniel Inglis Sr. said of his son’s sleeping pattern. “Lynn and I are a pretty good team. We’re learning new things every day with how to take care of him.”

The family will also have to make financial adjustments. The most recent electric bill was $1,100, Lynn Inglis said. Soon, they’ll be receiving a customized van and a wheel chair.

Since returning home, Daniel has made slight improvements, now breathing on room air, Daniel said.

The morning of the family’s barbeque was a rough one, though. Daniel’s catheter got clogged and his blood pressure skyrocketed over 200, the first time that’s happened since his injury.

“We got through it. Now we know more,” Daniel Inglis Sr. said.

Aides assisted Daniel, who had to rest for some time prior to making an appearance at the party. But even then, Daniel was in good spirits.

“I’m enjoying my family a lot more. I enjoy not waking up to different hospital noises,” Daniel said.

Eventually, the family will once again make trips up to Kessler for therapy, studies and tune-ups, Daniel Inglis Sr. said.

“Kessler knows how to handle spinal cord injuries. We feel pretty comfortable there. They really know how to handle Danny,” he said.

Since returning home, Daniel hasn’t had too many visitors, Daniel said. “We’re keeping it low key until everything’s settled.”

Once Daniel was feeling better, he rolled onto the outside deck in his wheelchair. With his sunglasses on, he sat around the table and caught up with some friends and family.

“He’s happy to be home. There’s a definite change in his attitude. He lights up,” Daniel’s cousin Chris Inglis said.

Joe and Deanna Depiano, friends of Daniel’s, said when the accident first occurred, it was “rough” to cope with.

“It’s definitely got a lot easier,” Deanna said. “When he sees us he gets all excited.”

Brian and Jackie Wall have been lending a hand since the accident, including a fundraiser held at the Forked River House in March.

“That’s what friends are for. We love them and wish them all the best,” Jackie Wall said.

“It’s a long trying road but they’re a great, supportive family,” Brian Wall said.

Unfortunately, the barbeque wasn’t exactly what the Inglis family had originally hoped for, Daniel Inglis Sr. said. Planning the homecoming party, which was also a celebration to thank all those who have helped the family since the accident, got away from them as they made the transition.

“It came up so fast,” he said.

The Inglis family will try again once they are adjusted, he said.

“It’s hundreds of people. It’s just phenomenal,” he said.

With benefit events and the Daniel Inglis Charity Fund, between $15,000 and $17,000 has been raised to support the family as of July.

To make donations, checks can be made payable to the “Daniel Inglis Charity Fund” and sent to the Inglis' home at 708 Sinclair Ave. in Lanoka Harbor or stop at any TD Bank where an account has been opened for the family. There is also a charity fund online for Daniel that will close on Thursday, Aug. 30. You can contribute by clicking this link: http://www.indiegogo.com/Inglis.