The father of an East Side wrestling star who lost his leg after being hit by a truck is holding a fund-raiser to help offset his son's medical bills.
Ray Collins said his son, Ryan, does not have medical insurance to help cover the costs, which include more than $200,000 in medical and hospital bills and $65,000 for a prosthesis.
The family also is struggling to pay for his therapy and the remodeling of their two-story Rita Ranch home so Ryan has access to a downstairs bedroom and bathroom.
"You don't realize how much people really need until it happens to you,'' said Collins, who owns Bonehead Choppers, a local motorcycle shop. His company and other motorcycle-related shops will showcase choppers and other motorcycles in an effort to raise money at a fund-raiser Jan. 21.
The event will be held from noon to 8 p.m. at Kino Veterans Memorial Park, 2805 E. Ajo Way. There will be four different local bands, food and a poker run for motorcylists, he said.
People are also reading…
Ryan Collins, a former Cienega High School wrestling region champion who graduated last year, was driving south on Kolb Road on Nov. 4 when he was broadsided by a truck trying to make a left turn near Broadway. His left leg was caught under the truck's front bumper and he was dragged 150 feet.
Collins' leg was destroyed. Doctors thought they would have to amputate his foot only, but to prevent infection they amputated just below the knee.
Ray Collins said the prosthesis they are hoping to get for Ryan will help him wrestle again.
For more information, contact Ray Collins at 891-0503.
