Benefit set as West Lafayette man recovers from stroke

COSHOCTON – It’s been a long road to recovery for Justin Warne, who suffered a stroke Oct. 9, but his family said one thing is for sure: He wouldn’t be where he is without the support of the community.

Justin, 37, has been back at his West Lafayette home for about a week now after spending two months in rehab at Lafayette Point. And one of the things keeping his spirits up, said his sister, Dalelynn Warne, has been a benefit planned in his honor Friday night at the Coshocton Moose Lodge, where Justin has been a member for 17 years and served as governor.

The event kicks off at 5 p.m. and will feature food, an auction, live entertainment from Minus One Band, a raffle and more.

Local businesses in Newcomerstown, West Lafayette and Coshocton donated items for the auction and raffles. Anything from candy bouquets to crafts to camping chairs will be up for bidding, Dalelynn said.

The Ridgewood Local School District even donated all-season sports passes.

All the money will help pay for medical bills and other costs associated with Justin’s recovery.

Justin was taking a nap in the basement before he began his shift as a security guard for Ohio Security Systems. His alarm went off, and we he didn’t come upstairs, his family knew something was wrong.

“He just couldn’t move,” Dalelynn said.

He spent 41 days at Ohio State University’s Wexner Medical Center. He no longer has use of his left side and he lost a small part of right brain, Dalelynn said.

He also has had several setbacks along the way, she said, including a blood clot in his left leg and a fractured left knee, but despite that, Justin remains strong-willed.

“He has an amazing attitude and is determined he’s going to walk again,” Dalelynn said. “It’s just a day by day. ... He’s got his whole life ahead of him.”

The theme of Friday evening’s benefit is “broken crayons still color.” The saying was written on a message board in Justin’s room in Columbus when he regained consciousness after the stroke, and since then has served as motivation to him as he recovers.

Justin plans to be at the event Friday, and, if he’s up to it, will participate in a cake walk, Dalelynn said.

She said they expect a big turnout, and thanked the community for the way they have rallied around her brother.

“The community has been amazing” Dalelynn said. “He knows a lot of people evidently.”

elagatta@coshoctontribune.com

740-295-3442

Twitter: @EricLagatta

If you go

•What: Benefit for Justin Warne, who is recovering from an Oct. 9 stroke.

•When: Food begins at 5 p.m. and the auction begins at 6 p.m. Friday.

•Where: Coshocton Moose Lodge, 120 Main St.

•FYI: The benefit will feature a raffle, a 50-50 drawing, grab bags and cake walks. Minus One Band will perform and a nurse from Coshocton Memorial Hospital will be offering free blood pressure tests. All the money will help pay for medical bills and other costs associated with Justin’s recovery.