Signature move signals hope for crash victim
Dec. 17,
2012 |
|
|
| |
Brett Reccord, 23, of Wilbraham, (pictured here prior to the accident) often gave people a thumbs-up, which is how his family knew there was hope following a craniotomy after a near-fatal car accident on Nov. 30.
Reminder Publications submitted photo
|
By Katelyn Gendron
katelyn@thereminder.com
WILBRAHAM — Brett Reccord, 23, of Wilbraham has a signature move, according to family friend Lori Kellner; it's a thumbs-up. Such a move may not seam like much to most people but for Brett, it was a sign that he had started to recover from what could have been a fatal automobile accident in Texas on Nov. 30.
Brett was not expected to survive the extent of his injuries, which required a craniotomy due to subdural hematoma, a bleed in the brain, as well as severe wrist and ankle wounds, Kellner said. He was traveling on the highway near Dallas, Texas, when the car rolled over several times and ejected him onto the interstate.
"All he said is 'I think I'm really lucky, Lori,'" Kellner recalled of last week's FaceTime conversation with Brett and his mother, Kathy Reccord, from his hospital bed at East Texas Medical Center. They have since flown home thanks to purchasing an entire row of seats on the plane so he could lie comfortably.
His recovery is far from over, however, and the extensive travel and medical expenses have spurred Kellner and her friend Betty Murphy to organize a fundraiser for Kathy and Brett. Kathy, a single mother, has taken a leave of absence from work as a physician's assistant in order to care for her son.
The benefit will be a pasta supper with live entertainment, however, the date and time has yet to be determined. In the interim, Kellner urged people to make a donation to the "Reccord Family Donation Account" at Hampden Bank.
"That money is 100 percent going to her [Kathy]. He's going to require extensive rehab," Kellner said.
Kathy noted that Brett might also require additional procedures. "He will still require some surgery for his right foot. He has a wound on his right heel. He will probably lose some functionality," she explained. "There's going to be a lot of stuff not covered by insurance."
Kathy said overall she is just grateful to have her son home. "He's sleeping on my couch right now," she added, noting, "his mental status has returned to baseline.
When asked if she was surprised that Lori was organizing this benefit for her, Kathy replied, "No, I think that's just the kind of person that she is."
Kellner said, "My children have grown up with her children. I think that even if it was a stranger, no body deserves this. I cried my eyes out for two days when I heard about this, it makes you think of your own family."
To receive updates regarding the benefit, contact Kellner at witchy2u2@comcast.net.
Monetary donations may be mailed to the "Reccord Family Donation Account," Hampden Bank, 1363 Allen St., Springfield, MA 01118.
|
  
Comments From Our Readers:
|
|
|
