BAYSIDE, Wis. — As teens and young adults are preparing to head off to college this fall, a Bayside family is hoping to share an important message that could help in an emergency.
It’s been nearly a year since the Walny family got a call no family ever wants to get. Now, they are sharing their story in hopes of helping others.
What You Need To Know
- In July 2025, just a few weeks before heading off to the University of Minnesota for college and to play club hockey, Ilan Walny got in a crash with his electric scooter
- Eido Walny said when his son turned 18, he made sure to get estate documents in place in case of an emergency
- Walny said having healthcare powers of attorney, durable powers of attorney, and HIPPA authorizations in place allowed them to help care for their college-age child
- On the one-year anniversary of his accident, the Walny family said they plan to donate card games and other board games to the hospital in hopes of helping other families dealing with similar tragedies and their recoveries
Playing cards and different games has become a big part of the Walny family’s life. It’s been an outlet and a form of therapy while their son Ilan recovered from a tragic incident.
“It was a long journey,” Ilan Walny said. “I don’t remember much of my time in the hospital.”
In July 2025, just a few weeks before heading off to the University of Minnesota for college and to play club hockey, Ilan Walny got in a crash with his electric scooter.
(Walny family)
He broke his skull, broke his heel in three different places, and suffered a traumatic brain injury.
His dad, Eido, is the president of the Village of Bayside. He’s also an attorney at Walny Legal Group.
Eido Walny said when his son turned 18, he got estate documents in place in case of an emergency. The phone call he and his wife got while out of state on vacation was the emergency they never expected.
“We never in a million years thought we would get a phone call like that, but luckily we were prepared,” Mom, Michelle Walny said.
(Spectrum News 1/Megan Marshall)
With Ilan being over 18 and being unconscious, the family said that had they not had these papers in place, medical decisions could have been left up to a judge.
They said being out of town only complicated matters with their son in the hospital. Thankfully, medical paperwork was in place, so his parents were able to assist in making decisions about his health.
“The surgical team was able to communicate with us, and we were able to make decisions for him,” Michelle Walny said. “That paperwork was a huge lifesaver for us in this process.”
Eido Walny said having healthcare powers of attorney, durable powers of attorney, and HIPPA authorizations in place allowed them to help care for their college-age child.
“It’s literally one of those things where very easy legal documents can help overcome days, weeks and months of heartache and a lot of costs along the way,” Eido Walny said.
The family said they hope others hear about their experience and take precautions to get legal documents in place as many kids are preparing to head to college.
Their daughter, Keindel, is a junior in high school and is part of the USA Figure Skating team. She said after witnessing all of this; she plans to sign these documents when she turns 18 as well.
(Spectrum News 1/Megan Marshall)
“You never think you need that precaution until you are in that position,” Keindel Walny said. “Especially being a minor, I’m so thankful to know all that stuff from what my parents have told me and getting to see this firsthand with my brother.”
Ilan is now preparing to head off to college this fall after taking last year off. He said he plans to help out with the hockey team while he’s there.
His family says his recovery has been a miracle, and they hope others can see the benefits of these documents.
On the one-year anniversary of his accident, the Walny family said they plan to donate card games and other board games to the hospital in hopes of helping other families dealing with similar tragedies and their recoveries.