Donny’s Story
Donald Bracken was involved in a serious car accident on Thursday, October 28, 2010 in Cleveland, Mississippi. He was the passenger in the vehicle that flipped multiple times, landing on him. Donny was cut out of the car by the Jaws of Life and was airlifted to "The Med" Regional Hospital in Memphis, TN. Donny was evaluated by the trauma team. Donny suffered paralysis from the chest down, multiple cervical (neck) fractures, and a large wound to his left leg from being drug by the car. Also, Donny suffered symptoms of spinal shock, including a very low blood pressure that had to be maintained with medicine.
Donny is currently receiving medical treatment and rehab services from Shepherd’s Spinal Center. Shepherd's Spinal Center is the #1 brain and spinal injury rehab hospital/center in the nation. Donny's twin brother, Ronny, and his family live in the suburbs of Atlanta, so Ronny & his wife, Cassandra, have taken on full liability and responsibility of making sure Donny gets the best medical treatment possible.
The insurance company will not pay for him to stay at Shepherds during the recovery time which is about 8 weeks. Therefore, Donny is scheduled to arrive to his twin brother’s home on February 3, 2011. Without returning to Shepherd’s and completing the rehab program, Donny will remain a full quadriplegic. In order for Donny to return to rehab, we must raise $25,000. The $25,000 will allow Donny to complete 9 weeks of needed rehabilitation services. From January 20, 2011 thru January 28, 2011, we raised $5320! WOW, the power of family, classmates and friends.
Below Are The Latest Updates:
KUDOS to Wade Baskin & Kasey Lian for creating Donny’s donation website for us, at this site, http://cleveland1985.blogspot.com/, you can donate from the comfort of your home or office and the Bracken family will have immediate access to your funds.
Ronny Bracken wrote on January 20, 2011:
Christy, Thank you! I wished Donny could see all of the responses. I am travelling today and have been sitting in the Denver airport with tears pouring down my face! All of you are so great.
Ronny
Monica Patterson Dixon wrote on January 27, 2011:
Good evening classmates. Just wanted to remind everyone how much we appreciate you taking the time to keep up with the Class of ‘85’s efforts on raising money for Donny’s rehab care. Here are some of today’s updates: (some of you are on facebook and are getting to see this twice. I’m trying to let as many people know what’s going on as possible.)
My facebook message to classmates this morning: 1 week ago...Lisa Dean made a challenge sparked from Christy's email.
Not sure if this was ever posted to everyone. As I was going through a list of emails I came across it and again, felt the need to share. Imagine the overwhelming thoughts of a new HUGE responsibility God have placed on Ronny to now be his twin brother's source of total care. Imagine him thinking "God, how can I do this?" It is surely a great responsibility and God does have a plan.....let us continue to watch Him work his miracles today....pray, share, and give, if you can.
~Monica
Cassandra & Ronny wrote on Thursday morning, January 27, 2011:
Hey everyone,
Yes, we are definitely moving in the right direction! As of yesterday afternoon, we have a total of $4,570!!! This amount includes $700 donated from our friends here in Georgia. I sent the link out to everyone on my FB and asked them all to do the same. I also plan to send it to everyone in my email address book. We are totally overwhelmed by the response we have gotten in less than one week. Lisa, we can not say thank you enough for getting this challenge going. There are some classmates that are sending much more than you challenged them to. We realize the sacrifices being made by everyone to help Donny. It is awesome to see God at work.
Please add this short update to the website and your emails: Donny is planned to arrive at our house next Thursday, February 3, 2011. We still have so much to do to be ready for him. Ronny and I have been training at the hospital to know how to care for him better. To be honest, I think we all are a little nervous about having the responsibility of taking care of someone who is totally dependent on you for everything. I know these are normal feelings and I know your continued prayers, support and encouragement will get us through. Some have asked what they can do to help us. The single biggest thing everyone can do is to send out the donation website link to all their Facebook friends and all their email friends. Ask them to help and to forward the link to all their friends. Even if you are unable to make a donation, you never know who in your list of friends is able to give or who knows how to organize other large fund raisers. Handing out fliers with Donny's story, website and CaringBridge link at your child's school, church, storefronts, etc. is another easy way to help. This sounds so simple but the more people who know Donny's story the more long-term help he will receive! Also, I was told this week that the correct amount for the 9 week rehab program is $22,000. Please keep praying and to God be all the glory! Thank you all for everything,
Cassandra
Cassandra later wrote on January 27, 2011:
Here's a late afternoon update: We passed that goal today and need to set a new one!!!! I received another $750 in the mail today! I just posted a challenge on FB looking for volunteers to hand out "Donny Fliers"! Will keep you posted!
~Cassandra
As you can see from the messages above, each and every donation helps, no matter how big or small! The Cleveland High School, Class of 1985, urge you to send whatever amount you are able to spare at this time $5, $25, $100, $250, $1500, etc.
We do have ideas on possible upcoming fundraising events. Here’s what has been mentioned or offered by classmates as possible fundraisers: Barry Weeks can possibility get some type gun for a raffle. Elizabeth Wyatt Mitchell has Mon Ami Spa and Laser and is willing to offer a service from the spa. Marcale Alexander has offered a case of wine valued at $250. Beverly Coons Lindsey suggested a raffle of $100. As soon as details are finalize on these and other fundraiser events, will post to this site and send out email notification.
As we continue to follow Donny’s recovery progress from month to month, we want him to concentrate on getting better not the cost of rehab due to his insurance company not paying for it. One thing that I can't get off my mind is, in every photo on the Caring Bridge website, Donny has the biggest and the most beautiful smile ever. Knowing that he is paralyzed from neck down, I realized quickly that only God can give him that wonderful smile to share. In spite of it all, Donny realizes that God is awesome & He's yet to leave his side. While Donny continues to inspire us with his faith in God, we need to support him throughout this difficult time by donating in order for him to continue his rehabilitation. You can donate with your debit/credit card or paypal account on this website http://cleveland1985.blogspot.com/ OR you can send a check, money order or cashier's check to:
Ronny or Cassandra Bracken
1008 Highgrove Drive
Monroe, GA 30655
Together, WE CAN DO THIS!!! Aggressively, let’s get the remaining $19,680 by February 28, 2011. Thanking you in advance for your generosity & please continue to pray for the Bracken family.
Sincerely,
Lisa Dean
CHS Class of 1985
Please visit www.caringbridge.org/visit/donaldbracken/mystory to read Donny’s full story. This website says it best “Between faith, will power, and prayer Donny hopes to regain a lot of strength back. Many miracles have already shown themselves since the night of the accident and we hope for many more”!
