Community supports band member of The Seven Wonders paralyzed after crash

ROCHESTER, N.Y. — Community members held an event on Thursday night in support of Katy Eberts, a singer and keyboardist for Rochester-based band The Seven Wonders, who was paralyzed in a July van crash in Farmington.

Eberts said in a Facebook post that she is paralyzed from just under her chest down and will need to use a wheelchair for the immediate future because of her spinal cord injury.

“All my therapists and doctors believe in me and my ability to defeat the odds but in order to go home and be as independent as possible, I need to start the rest of this journey in a wheelchair,” says the post.

Eberts’ friends held a silent disco and fundraiser in support of her at Three Heads Brewing on Atlantic Avenue in Rochester. Alf Encina spoke about Eberts, his friend.

“The talent, the drive, she is unbelievable. She’s got so much talent,” Encina said. “Nobody realizes it until you play with her. She just cares. She cares about the product. She’s phenomenal.”

The Fleetwood Mac tribute band was traveling to a show in Syracuse on July 20 when the crash happened. New York State Police said the van entered the center median, struck a tree, and overturned. Three of the four band members inside were injured.

Eberts, 40, was airlifted to Upstate Medical Center. She plays the role of legendary vocalist and keyboardist Christine McVie within the band. An ambulance took the other two members — Matthew Stephens, 43, who plays banjo and guitar and Matthew Ramerman, 42, who plays drums — to Strong Memorial Hospital for minor injuries.

Here is the full post from Eberts:

“Huge thank you to Rob Tortorella and David Hebert who brought some smiles to the worst day I’ve had to date since the accident. I knew the days of defeat, sadness and hopelessness would rear their evil heads at some point but these two guys talked me right out of my tears (at least for a moment).”

“They have lived amazing lives from their wheelchairs for the last 40 years and that was something I needed to hear about. I’m sure many of you have been wondering what my actual prognosis looks like and I am finally ready to share. While nothing is ever set in stone and miracles do happen, I need to face my immediate future in a wheelchair. I am paralyzed from just under my breastbone down.”

“All my therapists and doctors believe in me and my ability to defeat the odds but in order to go home and be as independent as possible, I need to start the rest of this journey in a wheelchair. I am okay with this as the work doesn’t end here but this means things will look very different for Brian and I. Our house needs to undergo major renovations, my car needs to be turned wheelchair accessible, my life as it was before will never be the same.”

“I know you all know I am NOT giving up so keep rooting me on because this is only going to make me work harder. And please, keep spreading those random acts of kindness. That is all I ask. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for all the support and love you’ve shown me. I am forever grateful.”

The band performed at Party in the Park on Aug. 3 to raise funding for Eberts’ recovery. They also sold Katy Strong t-shirts. News10NBC spoke with her bandmate Matthew Stephens and her close friend Mary Beth Cuomo at the show.