Local teen working hard to rehabilitate after accident
HARTINGTON — Daisy and Judd Keiser were hoping life would get back to normal for them this summer — another fun summer watching their children play sports.
One of those sons, Landyn, was geared up and ready to take on another summer filled with baseball and other outdoor activities.
All those plans took a setback after he was involved in a one-vehicle UTV accident which sent the soon-to-be Cedar Catholic seventh grader to a Sioux Falls . S.D., hospital on Memorial Day.
Thus, instead of a summer full of sports, Landyn is competing with nature as he works to overcome a number of surgeries on his legs to be ready to pursue his goals once again
“His spirits are up, and he loves visits from his family – his siblings, his grandparents and his extended family,” his mom said. “That boosts his spirits. He Facetimes with his friends. Having the contact with his siblings definitely boosts his mood. Opening mail definitely makes him happy. He’s 13 and stuck in a hospital bed, so it’s pretty rough.”
Landyn is supported by his siblings, brothers, Tanner (and his wife, Ashley), Jacob and Keaton and little sister, Camryn.
“Brothers talk to him like brothers do, and that’s so good for him,” Daisy Keiser said.
Yet, what has floored the family during this stressful time has been the tremendous outpouring by the community in support of Landyn.
His baseball team – the Hartington Navy 12-and-under squad – stays in touch with him and has dedicated its season to him, while making red wristbands to wear, to show their support.
The bands have Landyn’s favorite number – three – proudly illustrated on them.
The community has also started a GoFundMe page to aid the family with medical costs, and a meal train has been planned for the family’s return home, none of which the Keisers expected – or asked for – once they began this family battle as Landyn plans his recovery.
That recovery can't fully begin until at least later this week as he will undergo his 11th surgery on his legs Thursday.
“The community has come together and has been amazing in supporting us. It’s very humbling to be on the receiving end,” Daisy Keise said. “Landyn is genuinely surprised at how amazing the community has been in response to this. I remind him that he is such a good kid that everyone loves and is there for him. They have responded with cards and stuff, and it humbles him that people have reacted this way."
His mom said the family is fortunate to live in an area like this.
“I am not surprised, we come from a great community. Everyone is there for one another. We are grateful for the generosity. God has blessed us with a lot, and we are forever grateful,” she said.
His expected time for release is still unknown at this time.
Daisy Keiser has asked that if anyone would like to send Landyn any cards of encouragement and support, to please send them to Sanford Childrens Hospital, 1600 West 22nd St., Sioux Falls, SD, 5117 and address it to Landyn Keiser in Room 3927.
The GoFundMe page can be found at https://gofund.me/da2e9cc3.
Landyn is a kid who asks for workout equipment for Christmas to be the best he can be in sports, so it won’t surprise many that he is expecting to bounce back from this moment in his life with aplomb.
“The best he can possibly be, he is going to reach that,” Daisy said. “He’s the quarterback, the catcher and the point guard and he expects to get back on the football and baseball field and the basketball court.”
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