Hundreds rally around Burlington teen recovering from stroke

In the last year, the Dauel family has gone through more hardships than some people face in a lifetime.

"They have had such struggles, they've had such bad luck, every time I think about it I just want to cry because no family should ever have to go through what they have been through," said family friend Jennifer Schening.

Last August, Rob Dauel, his wife Jill, and their three daughters lost all their belongings when their Burlington home - which was undergoing renovations - was destroyed by a flood.

For months, they were forced to live in temporary housing. But when they were finally able to move back into their partially rebuilt home this past summer, they faced another tragedy ­- Rob's brother died in a motorcycle accident.

Then, on Sept. 17, the family was stunned again when their middle child, 13-year-old Kiley, had a stroke, which left her paralyzed on her left side.

"It is very rare," said Schening, who also is Kiley's pediatrician. "For a perfectly healthy 13-year-old to have a stroke is pretty much unheard of."

On Saturday, more than 500 people attended a "Kare for Kiley" fundraiser at The Lodge Bar & Grill in Campton Hills. Half the money from ticket sales, along with proceeds from silent and live auctions, will be donated to the family to help with medical bills.

"The Dauels are the type of people you want as your next door neighbor," Schening said. "They're really sweet, loving, giving people, and they deserve this fundraiser."

Many attendees sported purple shirts in honor of the Burlington Central eighth grader. Some of Kiley's classmates who play in the band with her performed outside, and volunteers hosted a bake sale and handed out door prizes.

Kiley, Jill and the family's eldest daughter were unable to attend, but Rob was in awe when he walked in the door of the restaurant.

"It's overwhelming," he said. "I can't believe it. I don't even know what to say."

Rob said the support the family has received has been "unbelievable," adding that they've even been getting donations and gifts from people they don't even know.

"My family and myself appreciate it," he said. "It's amazing."

Kiley spent several weeks at Lurie Children's Hospital in Chicago, which is more than 60 miles away from her home, before being moved to the Rehabilitation Institute in Chicago, where she is now walking and working on improving her speech. She is able to visit home on Sundays, and her family estimates she'll be coming home permanently in the next week or two.

Kiley's grandmother, Karen Anderson, has been living at the family's home with her husband, Jim, since shortly after Kiley's stroke. She called Kiley her "trouper" and got emotional when talking about what the family has gone through.

"It's been hard on the whole family. I give Rob and Jill credit for all they've gone through, and their love and support for Kiley has been out of this world," she said with tears in her eyes.

"All the people here, it's just overwhelming," she added. "I wish each and every one of them good health."