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For Bill there WiIl be a way

Life throws so many curves, as we can all probably attest to.   I came from a close knit family of 5 growing up.  I am the youngest of 3, the only girl with two pretty cool older brothers.  As a kid, I was tormented  by those two pretty cool older brothers, which was what probably made me pretty tough.  As adults, we've grown extremely close over the years, even living within a mile of each other.  We are raising our kids together (some of which are already grown), and share caring for our mom, who's health has never been great.   We have some of the best times together and I love these guys to pieces.   Both are great dads and family men.  They've both been there to help their little sister through some of her tough times and vice versa (or at least I hope I have).

The oldest of the two is my brother Bill.  Or, as his girlfriend Deb (pretty much his wife) likes to call him, Will.  Bill is fiercly loyal to and protective of all those that he loves.   I think primarily the females in his life, Deb, his daughter Mikayla, Debs daughter Sam,  our mom Cathy, and myself can all attest to that.  He's also extremely generous, witty, smart, athletic, kind and loving with an incredible sarcastic sense of humor.  He's also an absolute die-hard Vikings fan, loves his chocolate lab Nola and riding his motorcycle on many adventures.   His two kids Mikayla and Brandon are incredibly blessed  to have such an amazing dad who loves them more than life,  and would walk through fire for them. 

So, on July 27th, 2018 when Bill had a horrible accident at work, you can imagine how incredibly scared we all were.  Shortly after 11 a.m,  I was actually enjoying my shift at work as a 911 dispatcher, when a call came in from Bills work of a driver who had fallen off the top of one of the fuel trucks.  One of his friends and co-workers, Jerry (whom our family now refers to as our hero and Bills Guardian Angel),  found him basically unconscious in a pool of diesel fuel and bleeding from the head.   Anyone who's ever seen a fuel truck knows, you're looking at a 12-15 foot fall.   Bill never does anything small....go big or go home, right Bill?!  Needless to say, that was not a call a dispatcher likes to take.  It was horrifing since I could hear the voice  that was moaning in pain, and knew it was Bill.   Fortunately, I was leaving early that day and was able to get ahold of my family.   We gathered together as quickly as we could and we did alot of praying.

Bill injurys were severe and extensive.  Skull fractures, blood on the brain, spinal fractures,  jaw, eye socket, clavicle, shoulder,ribs, punctured lung, and some damage  to his respiratory system from the diesel fuel fumes.  Initial assesments and prognosis changed frequently. His recovery and healing is coming slow with steps forward, and steps back.    He's had many treatments that help what they're designed to help, but sometimes cause other side effects.  He's been on a ventilator, completely sedated until just yesterday.  He's had a chest tube placed, a back surgery, jaw wired shut, a trach placed and a feeding peg placed.   At this point, for us, its a slow process and a LONG road to recovery.  We remain incredibly positive ,with Deb leading the way, keeping an unshakeable faith and trust in God that he will take care of Bill, despite all that remains up in the air.  We have no idea when he'll be able to work again and in what capacity.  So much of what's happened will be difficult to recover 100% from.   From what we understand he will likely go to a Rehab facility  from the ICU. 

Our goal with Gofundme, is to raise money for Bills living expenses,  as we have no idea if and when he will be working again at his same job.  He has taken care of so many of us when we've needed him, we only want to help him now when he needs us.  We are all called upon by God to help each other.   We ask for your prayers and support to help Bill on his long and difficult journey to recovery.  For Bill,  Where there's a Will theres a Way!!  Thanks for all your love, prayers and support!!!
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Donations 

  • Karin Bratsch
    • $30 
    • 6 yrs
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Organizer and beneficiary

Kada Beanbehl
Organizer
Zimmerman, MN
Deb Longenecker
Beneficiary

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