Kaitlyn Ross at 11Alive
COMMERCE, Ga. — Eric “Radio” Redmon has always had a lot to say. In fact, his friends gave him the nickname “Radio” because he talked so much.
But after surviving a devastating car accident at 16 years old, Redmon found a new purpose for his voice: encouraging children and families facing some of the most difficult days of their lives.
Now, more than two decades later, he’s using his own experience to help families staying at Ronald McDonald House in Atlanta.
On June 12, 2003, Redmon was driving to a friend’s birthday party when he ran off Georgia Highway 326 near Commerce. The crash left him fighting for his life.
He spent months recovering at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta at Scottish Rite, facing a long and difficult journey after suffering a traumatic brain injury.
Through it all, Redmon learned the importance of perseverance, a lesson he now shares with children facing their own medical challenges.
“Keep fighting, keep pushing, stay in the fight. Every day is a new adventure, just don’t quit,” Redmon said.
In 2017, he established the Eric Redmon Foundation to support families facing medical hardships and organizations serving children.
Two of the foundation’s primary beneficiaries are Ronald McDonald House in Atlanta and the Boys & Girls Clubs of Jackson County.
Through annual fundraisers, including the Play Fore Eric Golf Tournament, the foundation raises money to help provide lodging for families whose children are receiving medical treatment.
The golf tournament has particularly meaningful roots. It was first organized in 2003 to help Redmon’s own family cover medical expenses following his accident. A decade later, Redmon revived the event to help other families facing similar challenges.
The foundation has since helped sponsor a room at Ronald McDonald House and continues raising money to support additional accommodations.
During a recent visit, Redmon and his family presented another donation to help families stay close to their hospitalized children.
A representative of Ronald McDonald House Atlanta said the family’s continued generosity makes an important difference for parents who need a place to stay while their children receive care.
“The most important thing that the Redmonds are doing is they’re making it possible for other families to stay at RMH Atlanta,” the representative said.
The organization provides lodging at no charge to families, relying on charitable support to cover those costs.
For Redmon, giving back is deeply personal.
“To be here with everyone, it’s just a true blessing,” he said.
His foundation also supports an annual back-to-school celebration for children at the Boys & Girls Clubs of Jackson County and provides assistance to families affected by traumatic brain injuries.
Redmon has also shared his recovery journey through his book, “Life’s a Party,” published in 2018. The book tells the story of his accident and recovery from his own perspective and through the perspectives of the family members and friends who helped him along the way.
More than 23 years after the accident that nearly took his life, Redmon continues to encourage others with the same message that helped him through his recovery.
“Just one day at a time, you know, keep working,” he said.
And for a man whose friends have always called him Radio, his voice is now helping make a difference for families who need encouragement most.
