Rusty Rides Run this Saturday will benefit 10-year-old Dayton Dietrich
Dietrich family ... Left to right: Dillon, Dayton, Nicole and Dexter Dietrich. Submitted photo.
The 13th Rusty Rides Run scheduled for Saturday, April 26 will benefit Dayton Dietrich, 10-year-old son of Dillon and Nicole Dietrich of Waukon. Dayton was born with Cerebral Palsy, a neurological condition that affects muscle tone, control, and movement.
At the age of five, Dayton received an epilepsy diagnosis, and he began battling with seizures. After many tests, scans and appointments, Dayton was diagnosed with Lennox Gastaut Syndrome, which is a rare severe form of epilepsy that affects between one and two in every one million people worldwide. Lennox Gastaut is a lifelong condition that causes brain damage, ultimately leading to learning disabilities and developmental setbacks. Many children permanently lose abilities that they have already learned.
Dayton struggles with multiple different kinds of seizures making his condition harder to treat and resulting in Cortical Visual Impairment. He doctors at University of Iowa Children’s Hospital in Iowa City. Dayton’s favorite things are Mickey Mouse and his brother, Dexter. He also loves to sing and dance.
The cost of therapies, medical treatments, travel expenses, and specialized medical equipment to give Dayton the best care and to improve his quality of life can be overwhelming, especially now that his father Dillon has been diagnosed with multiple sclerosis as of November of 2024, adding to the list of appointments, treatments, and therapies for the family.
The April 26 Rusty Rides Run will involve a full day of events focused on providing assistance to the family. In addition to the ride itself - the route of which is to be determined, an afternoon/evening of events will also be taking place at the Allamakee County Fairgrounds Pavilion in Waukon.
Registration to take part in the vehicle ride will take place between 10:30-11:30 a.m. at the Allamakee County Fairgrounds Pavilion. The ride, which is deemed to be ATV/UTV friendly, in addition to being open to other passenger vehicles, will begin at 12 noon, with plans to return to the Pavilion later that afternoon. Riders are encouraged to pack a lunch.
Upon return to the Pavilion late that afternoon, a free-will donation meal will be available. There will also be 50-50 drawings, raffles and a silent auction as well.
Those seeking more information or who may want to help out during the day or with auction or monetary donations may contact Sarah Collins, at 563-794-0437, or Kelly Cook, at 563-568-1699.
