Upcoming Events to be Held for Paralyzed Firefigther

A fundraising event for , a 24-year-old Lacey native who was paralyzed after a car accident on Christmas Eve, will be held at the Forked River House on Saturday, March 10 from noon to 5 p.m.

“(Daniel) is staying very strong, getting more alert every day,” his father, Daniel Inglis Sr. said in an email.

Daniel, who is a Lanoka Harbor volunteer firefighter and a Union City police officer, 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,

Daniel’s lungs are very fragile, Daniel Inglis Sr. said. His lungs have perforations in them due to the trauma and Daniel is on a ventilator, which is not uncommon with this type of injury.

Doctors are hoping to avoid surgery by Daniel’s lungs healing on their own, he said. Then, he could move onto rehab and then home.

“It is a very slow process,” Daniel Inglis Sr. said. “At this time we are looking at weeks to months before he leaves the hospital. At times it can be two steps forward and three back, but with his faith, courage and strength we know he will get better.”

Visitors for Daniel have been non-stop, he said. Neighbors and co-works call, text or stop in to see him constantly.

Some of Daniel's neighbors only found out about the accident recently after noticing that Daniel has not been around lately, Daniel Inglis Sr. said.

Daniel would walk with a neighbor and her dog each night because she lived alone and felt protected with him, he said. Other’s missed seeing Daniel around the neighborhood.

“They said he was a very special police officer that cared for his neighborhood and would help anyone who needed a hand,” Daniel Inglis Sr. said. “It made his family feel good to hear what we already knew—Daniel has a heart of gold and really loved being a police officer.”

The Inglis family thanks the community for its continued support, he said.

“We could never do it alone,” he said. “It sometimes gets very overwhelming but we realize if today wasn't that great, that tomorrow will be a better day. And we thank God that we still have Daniel here.”

Surviving the accident was a miracle, Daniel Inglis Sr. said.

“There is a reason why he is still here with us,” he said. “He still has a lot to do. He still wants to help other people because if you knew Daniel before the accident, that is all he wanted to do—to serve and protect.”

Fundraisers continue to be held to support Daniel and his family.

The event on March 10 will feature a buffet, a DJ and dancing, entertainment, gift auctions and a cash bar. A Super Bowl football autographed by Laurence Tynes of the New York Giants will be auctioned off. Admission is $20 per person at the door.

Donations can be made out to the Dan Inglis Charitable Fund and mailed to the , PO Box 8, Lanoka Harbor, NJ 08734. Checks can also be dropped off at any TD Bank.

Additional events coming up:

March 1: Van Diemens Restaurant in New York City is hosting a fundraising event. There will be wristbands at the door for specials on drinks and food, and Van Diemens is offering a two night, three-day trip to Las Vegas with a hotel and $1000 in chips and promotions, and two for one airfare.

March 20: Dine to Donate at Wendy's on Route 9 in Forked River from 5 to 8 p.m. 15 percent of the sales will go to Daniel's Charity fund. Mention Daniel Inglis.

April 7: Donation day at Styles In Action Salon, 1980 HWY 37 West, Manchester, NJ. Call 732-408-9898 for appointments. 100 percent of the proceeds will go to Daniel's Charity fund. There are $10 haircuts with also $10 back to the customer in a future service discount.

Waretown Accounting at 290 Lakeside Square Rt. 9, PO Box 1041, Waretown NJ will donate 30 percent of each new firefighter, EMS, dive team members, and police officers tax preparation fees to Daniel's Charity fund. For more information call 609-693-5046.