CRASH VICTIMS FIND ROUGH GOING AHEAD FUND-RAISER TO HELP STRUGGLING FAMILY.

Byline: Kathleen Sweeney Staff Writer

SAUGUS - Tylor Searcy-Gallo didn't have much time for visitors Wednesday morning as he cruised in his wheelchair from the back yard to the living room and back again.

The 5-year-old has adjusted to his new mode of transportation since the Feb. 1 car crash that injured his spine and left him paralyzed from the waist down, popping wheelies the second day in the chair he'll rely on for the rest of his life. His only worry is what other kids will say when he starts kindergarten in August.

``I'm fine,'' he told his visitors. ``I'm playing in the back yard.''

His mother, Sherry Searcy, also suffered major injuries, confining her to a wheelchair and forcing the mother and son and her three other children to move into a one-story home with her parents and postponing her graduation from the College of the Canyons for at least two more semesters.

She had to quit her job, no one is home during the day to help and the Medi-Cal benefits are scarce.

``It's not easy, but we manage,'' she said.

The students and staff from College of the Canyons, the Santa Clarita Athletic Club and the Betty Ferguson Foundation are hoping to help the family with a fund-raiser Saturday at the Athletic Club.

Carolishca Forster, director of the Work Opportunity and Responsibility to Kids and New Horizons programs at the college, plans to raise enough to pay for in-home care services for the next year, a cleaning person and someone to cook the meals for the other kids.

She also wishes for a handicap-equipped vehicle, and enough to pay for physical therapy.

``It's a tall order - about $50,000,'' she said. ``I know it's a lot of money, but every bit counts.''

Searcy, 31, was driving home that afternoon from class at College of the Canyons when she nodded off at the wheel from a hypoglycemic condition as she turned from McBean Parkway onto Orchard Village Road. By the time she shook off the drowsiness, she was heading straight for a tree. She turned the car as much she could so it wouldn't hit the back door where Tylor was strapped into his car seat.

Searcy broke a wrist, ribs and clavicle, and suffered from compound fractures to both ankles and legs.

Tylor was removed from the car by a passer-by trying to help. Doctors aren't sure if his spine was damaged from the crash or being removed, Searcy said.

Medi-Cal benefits haven't paid for much more than hospitalization, Searcy said. They are waiting for a new wheelchair, in-home care and physical therapy, which will only cover 16 therapy sessions.

It's difficult to lift Tylor from her own wheelchair, Searcy said, and she has to keep an eye on his body temperature, which can rise within a minute.

``It can be fatal,'' Searcy said.

Asking for help wasn't easy for Searcy, but the circumstances leave her with little choice.

``It's just overwhelming,'' she said.

The event kicks off at 7 a.m. with a pancake breakfast; a silent auction; a Tae Bo class; a puppet show for kids featuring Lamb Chop performed by Mallory Lewis, who is the daughter of Shari Lewis; and a raffle, including a mountain bike and a 1969 Volkswagen Beetle.

The VW Beetle is on display at the Athletic Club.

Cost for breakfast and one raffle ticket is $10. For tickets and reservations for the meal, call [phone].

FUND-RAISER

Checks may be made payable to the Betty Ferguson Foundation and mailed to Jenny c/o CalWORKs and New Horizons, College of the Canyons, 26455 Rockwell Canyon Road, Santa Clarita, CA 91355.

For additional information, call [phone].

CAPTION(S):

3 photos, box

Photo:

(1 -- 2 -- color) Tylor Searcy-Gallo, 5, plays in the back yard of his Saugus home, top, while mom Sherry Searcy watches, above.

David R. Crane/Staff Photographer

(3) Tylor Searcy-Gallo and his mom, Sherry Searcy, must adapt to wheelchairs after an car crash injured them both.

David R. Crane/Staff Photographer

Box: Fund-raiser (see text)