Injured high school linebacker now in 'fair' condition
By: NOELLE IBRAHIM - Staff Writer
Golf tournament to be held Monday in Eveland's honor | ∞
SAN MARCOS -- Injured Mission Hills High School linebacker Scott "Scotty" Eveland's condition has improved from "serious" to "fair" and the teen is showing minor signs of improvement, authorities said Wednesday.
The 17-year-old senior, who underwent surgery for severe head trauma after collapsing on the football field in a prep football game against Santee's West Hills High on Sept. 14, is "very stable," according to Andy Hoang, spokesman for Palomar Medical Center in Escondido, where Eveland is hospitalized.
"He's out of a coma now and he seems to be more alert," said Hoang. "He's breathing on his own."
Hoang stressed, however, that while Eveland's condition is no longer classified as serious, that doesn't mean he is in good condition.
"This continues to be a very, very slow recovery process," he said. "It's hard to tell with these types of injuries. It could be months, a year, a couple of years."
Eveland remains in the hospital's Acute Rehabilitation Unit, where doctors and therapists are working with him on posture and helping him sit up on his own, Hoang said. He declined to comment, however, on whether Eveland has been able to communicate.
"The good news is that he's not regressing," said Hoang, who added that Eveland is moving in the right direction, but declined to offer examples. "That's the big positive in this type of situation. He's continuing to show very small signs of improvement each week."
Though Pomerado Hospital and Villa Pomerado skilled nursing center in Poway evacuated about 200 patients during last week's firestorm, Eveland and other patients at the Palomar Medical Center were safe, Hoang said.
"There was no evacuation and the fires didn't affect air quality inside the building," he said.
Neighbors and friends have organized a golf tournament to help defray the cost of Eveland's medical expenses, with proceeds going directly to his family. Scheduled for Monday, the Scott Eveland Golf Tournament kicks off shotgun-style at noon at the Escondido Country Club, 1800 Country Club Lane.
The golfing event is the latest in a series of fundraisers held on Eveland's behalf, including efforts by Dream Dinners, Carino's Italian Grill, the Carlsbad Fire Department, various high schools and others.
The tournament, which has been sold out for about three weeks, will be followed by cocktails and a silent auction at 5:30 p.m., dinner at 6:30 p.m. and a live auction at 7:15 p.m, said Bruce Minnery, event organizer and neighbor of the Eveland family. Dinner tickets are still available for $50 a person.
"The family needs help, the family needs community support," said Minnery. "It just seemed like there was something we could do to help."
A private box at the Del Mar Racetrack and a private flown tour on Mayor Jim Desmond's Cessna airplane are among the items up for auction.
To buy tickets, visit pray4scotty.org. Monetary donations also are being accepted. Mail to pray4scotty.org, c/o Bruce and Cyndy Minnery, 1733 Birchwood Drive, San Marcos, CA 92069. For more information, call (760) 752-1600.
-- Contact staff writer Noelle Ibrahim at (760) 740-3517 or nibrahim@nctimes.com.
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Don't forget Mr. Taco wrote on Oct 31, 2007 9:51 PM:I'm sorry Mr. Taco wasn't mentioned as a major sponsor. They held 2 fundraisers. 1 of them I know for sure is that 100% of sales not just a percentage as the other restaurants were had been donated to Eveland's family because of the generousity of Mr. Taco's suppliers. I hope NCT will give credit where credit is due. I think that was most impressive and they weren't mentioned. I heard $6,000 was donated from Mr. Taco from just the 1 event!
Lisa wrote on Oct 31, 2007 10:47 PM:Way to go Scotty, keep up the good work, stay strong, we're all behind you and praying.
DRINGO wrote on Nov 1, 2007 9:47 AM:This is very encouraging news. I just know he will recover 100%.
57chevy wrote on Nov 1, 2007 5:23 PM:He must have really hit his head, thank goodness is coming along.
Gilpatrick wrote on Nov 1, 2007 5:28 PM:The name of the web site is pretty much an "in your face" to those who felt the prayer at the public school football game was a violation of "church and state seperation"; of course the web site is private so they can do whatever they want....but it could keep some away.
AW4cryinoutloud wrote on Nov 1, 2007 6:47 PM:Be well Scotty.
Saddened wrote on Nov 1, 2007 9:01 PM:It saddens me to think that someone wouldn't help this wonderful family because of a four letter word - PRAY. If they checked their money they would see it says the word God on it. If that offends them as well, I say they give their "violated" money to this youngman. God Bless you Scotty, and all those doing such a great thing to support his cause.
To Gilpatrick wrote on Nov 1, 2007 11:47 PM:Do you really think the Everlands chose the website name to be "in your face"? Don't you think they have more important things to worry about? They are going through a horrible ordeal; something NO family should ever have to go through. It is unbelievable that anyone, regardless of beliefs, would choose to be offended over the family's choice of words for a website. Simply unbelievable!
Pamela wrote on Nov 2, 2007 9:52 PM:Our prayers are with you Eveland family. Be strong Scotty!!
fb parent wrote on Nov 4, 2007 5:04 AM:pray4scotty.org = "in your face" What? there is another one, www.getwellscotty.com secular enough? but be careful, it may too contain the p word
Double D wrote on Nov 6, 2007 3:08 PM:love ya scotty
GP PLEASE! wrote on Nov 8, 2007 5:21 PM:GILP, you have no clue WHAT you are talking about! The school NEVER sanctioned any of this! This is what the children of the school chose to do in order to get through this very trying and traumatic time! They need to be allowed the opportunity to heal in whatever healthy way they choose! These things are not being pushed on them by the school, they are at the base of it all! The wonderful Eveland family doesn't need your support, they are supported by kind, understanding and open-minded people! Allow these kids to get through this however they can without your uninformed advice!
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