If you saw Tylin Parker on Saturday, you might not realize he is recovering from a leg injury except for needing a walker to get around.
“He’s doing really good,” said his mother, Antionette Evans. “He’s come a long way but he still has a long way to go.”
A group of citizens from Newton and surrounding areas came together to hold a fundraiser walk called the Justice for Tylin March to help his family with medical bills and other related expenses. Parker was injured in a shooting at Newton Elementary School on Sept. 30 after a gun was brought on school property and was fired. The bullet struck his leg, and Parker was airlifted to the hospital from the school yard.
Evans said they are still looking for answers from the Newton Municipal School District and authorities about what happened in the incident.
“All we know about what happened is from what Tylin has told us,” Evans said. “They haven’t told us anything.”
Since the incident, Evans has had to quit her job to give Parker round-the-clock care.
“He needs care 24 hours a day, so I’m staying home with him to make sure he’s taken care of.”
Evans said Parker has a long road to recovery. They have begun physical therapy.
“He’s been so strong through this,” Evans said. “We’ve got a long road, but he’s doing very well considering what happened.”
The march started from the historic depot up Main Street to Fourth Avenue then turned on to Decatur Street back toward Church Street before ending back at the depot.
“We are so thankful for everyone who came out here today to support Tylin and to help us,” Evans said. “Everything worked out great.
“But we still need a lot of help to get through this. We have all of the medical bills from when he was in the hospital and everything else to help him recover. We appreciate everything that everyone has done to help us.”
For those who would like to help Parker in his family, they are asked to contact Donna Norman at 601-666-0446.
