Help for Brett's Road to Recovery
Donation protected
In early August 2021, our friend Brett Dickerson was doing what he loves, riding his mountain bike on the Bitterroot Mountain range in Idaho, where he now lives in the small town of Salmon. Without realizing it, he had been bitten by a mosquito infected with the West Nile Virus. Like viral meningitis, West Nile Virus causes the spinal cord and the membranes surrounding the brain to swell. Left untreated, it may cause brain trauma leading to permanent brain damage and even death.
After suffering several days with intense headaches, fever, and stiffness, a friend checking in on his trip, found him lying on the floor of his home. He was taken to a hospital in Pocatello, ID where after much testing, the diagnosis of West Nile Virus was confirmed. A drain was surgically inserted into his skull to reduce the pressure from an excess of spinal fluid. After nearly a week in the ICU, he had recovered enough to be sent home with an extensive rehabilitation plan.
Even though he has made impressive progress, the virus has left negative effects. Essentially, Brett will need to retrain his brain to regain the function that has been lost. He faces many months of therapy and rehab to address his coordination, balance, and vision issues. The nearest facility to offer the treatment needed is more than three hours away in Missoula, Montana where he requires two sessions each week for potentially 18 months.
Always one to help others, Brett now needs our help. Without being able to return to his teaching position, he faces mounting medical bills, ongoing living expenses, plus the expenses incurred getting to and from Missoula. And at this point, with his vision impairment, he is unable to drive himself creating an immense challenge to his rehabilitation efforts.
You can help Brett in three ways:
1. Keep Brett’s recovery and rehabilitation in your thoughts and prayers. Such a long road will require regular encouragement.
2. If you are able to, please donate to Brett’s road to recovery. Anything will help and be extremely appreciated. If possible, regular donations would be even better.
3. Spread the word. Please share Brett’s story through email, text, social media, and word-of-mouth. The more people that become involved, the less stress the financial burden puts on Brett while he needs to focus on rehabilitation.
On behalf of his family and friends, thank you for your continued prayers, encouragement, and gracious support in Brett’s time of need. Stay tuned for regular updates on his progress.
If you feel compelled to personally reach out to Brett, please use short text messages. Understand that his vision problems will make it very difficult for him to reply to everyone in a timely manner.
Thank you again for your support of Brett's Road to Recovery!
After suffering several days with intense headaches, fever, and stiffness, a friend checking in on his trip, found him lying on the floor of his home. He was taken to a hospital in Pocatello, ID where after much testing, the diagnosis of West Nile Virus was confirmed. A drain was surgically inserted into his skull to reduce the pressure from an excess of spinal fluid. After nearly a week in the ICU, he had recovered enough to be sent home with an extensive rehabilitation plan.
Even though he has made impressive progress, the virus has left negative effects. Essentially, Brett will need to retrain his brain to regain the function that has been lost. He faces many months of therapy and rehab to address his coordination, balance, and vision issues. The nearest facility to offer the treatment needed is more than three hours away in Missoula, Montana where he requires two sessions each week for potentially 18 months.
Always one to help others, Brett now needs our help. Without being able to return to his teaching position, he faces mounting medical bills, ongoing living expenses, plus the expenses incurred getting to and from Missoula. And at this point, with his vision impairment, he is unable to drive himself creating an immense challenge to his rehabilitation efforts.
You can help Brett in three ways:
1. Keep Brett’s recovery and rehabilitation in your thoughts and prayers. Such a long road will require regular encouragement.
2. If you are able to, please donate to Brett’s road to recovery. Anything will help and be extremely appreciated. If possible, regular donations would be even better.
3. Spread the word. Please share Brett’s story through email, text, social media, and word-of-mouth. The more people that become involved, the less stress the financial burden puts on Brett while he needs to focus on rehabilitation.
On behalf of his family and friends, thank you for your continued prayers, encouragement, and gracious support in Brett’s time of need. Stay tuned for regular updates on his progress.
If you feel compelled to personally reach out to Brett, please use short text messages. Understand that his vision problems will make it very difficult for him to reply to everyone in a timely manner.
Thank you again for your support of Brett's Road to Recovery!
Co-organizers (3)
Greg Demopoulos
Organizer
Winona Lake, IN
Brett Dickerson
Beneficiary
Jeff Dickerson
Co-organizer
Kallie Chapman
Co-organizer