Ex-chief helps lead ‘Best Day Ever' after paralysis crash
CRESTON, Ohio (WJW) — For one Wayne County family, the meaning of community and courage has changed forever.
On Friday, more than 70 students from special education programs across Wayne County gathered at Norwayne High School for a track and field day like no other. They ran, rolled, and raced through adaptive sports stations designed just for them—from wheelchair basketball to javelin throwing and face painting.
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It's all part of the 'Best Day Ever,' a growing event revived just last year by former Creston Police Chief Bryon Meshew and his family. The inspiration? Their daughter Izabel, a passionate advocate for individuals with physical and developmental disabilities.
'We wanted to bring light to the multi-handicap community that doesn't get any appreciation or recognition or any help in the community,' Meshew said.
But months after helping bring the event back following a COVID hiatus, the Meshew family faced a life-altering twist: Chief Meshew was involved in a motorcycle crash that left him paralyzed from the neck down.
Suddenly, he was no longer just an organizer, he became part of the very community he set out to uplift.
'We were here doing this last year because our daughter is so passionate about the multi-handicap community,' he said. 'And then, I became a quadriplegic. I am a part of that community.'
This year's event carried even deeper meaning.
Students smiled. Parents cheered. And first responders from across Wayne County showed up on their own time—bringing police cruisers, fire trucks, and ambulances to give the kids a true VIP experience.
Chief Meshew helped coordinate every detail from the sidelines. His son Isaac jumped into the dunk tank. His wife Sarah stood by his side.
'Last year was fun, I got to run around with one of the groups,' Sarah said. 'But this year, I am with Bryon. Now, I get to see this through him and sit back and watch.'
And Izabel, the daughter who started it all, helped lead the entire operation.
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'It just means inclusion,' she said. 'Especially with everything that happened with my dad… it's random, you never know when it can happen, and we just want to feel included.'
The Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 94 sponsored the event, and volunteers from across the county helped bring it to life. For the Meshew family, it was a day of perspective. For the kids, it truly was the best day ever.
'That's what it's about,' Chief Meshew said. 'We've gotten a great response from the community. And the folks at the FOP that came out…it's just tremendous.'
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