What happens when a routine farm chore becomes a sudden battle for survival? In this episode of This One Time in Kankakee, we sit down with local farmer and volunteer firefighter Willy VanWassenhove to hear his extraordinary story of resilience. On September 20, 2024, while adjusting a load of hay on the side of the road, Willy was struck by a vehicle at highway speed, pinning him and crushing his legs. 

Drawing on his first-responder training, Willy stayed calm, called 911, and survived a horrific accident that ultimately cost him his right leg. Today, he shares the incredible details of his 100-hour surgical battle, the miraculous timing of his rescue, and how the Kankakee community rallied behind him with the "Willy Strong" movement. 

Now back to work full-time and back in the tractor using a retrofitted mechanical lift, Willy is turning his pain into purpose by launching a foundation to support other injured farmers. He joins us to deliver a vital message that every driver needs to hear: Slow down, pay attention to Slow Moving Vehicle (SMV) signs, and protect our farmers. Because saving ten seconds is never worth a lifetime of regret. 

In this episode, you’ll hear:

• The Critical Moment: The sudden roadside impact and how first-responder instincts saved Willy's life. 
• A Community Miraculously Prepared: How a local firefighter's funeral inadvertently placed rescue teams exactly where they needed to be. 
• The Long Road Back: Navigating 15+ surgeries, severe agricultural infections, and an unforgettable community homecoming parade. 
• Farming Without Limits: How neighbors retrofitted a John Deere 4440 tractor with a mechanical lift so Willy could keep baling hay. 
• The Willy Strong Foundation: Willy’s mission to provide "no questions asked" financial support to injured agricultural workers. 

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