Helping Nik Bramblett's Recovery

After nearly a decade of us benefiting from Nik Bramblett’s selfless service to the Rock Hill and York County community; unfortunately, he now needs your help. 

On 1 June, Nik was in a tragic accident on his bicycle resulting in multiple serious brain injuries.  It is believed that he was in the beginning stages of a stroke when he rode into the path of an oncoming van and was struck.  The result was a massive aneurysm rupture and a Traumatic Brain Injury as well as other injuries.  He was taken to Piedmont Medical initially, where he was immediately sent via helicopter to the Trauma Center at Carolinas Medical Center-Main campus in Charlotte (Atrium Health).  He is currently in the Neural ICU.  After a very tense week, the bleeding in his brain has finally stopped, the drain has been removed, and he is breathing on his own.  But he has several infections, including pneumonia, that are continuing to complicate the situation.  While there are some spinal vertebrae fractures, there is no cord involvement, and he has full movement.  However, there is significant motor control impairment because of the stroke. 

So far, we have seen no voluntary control of his right side, and only minimal responsive control of his left side.  He is awake more and more during the day, with his eyes open, but it is difficult to assess how cognizant he is of where he’s located, why he is there, and who is in the room with him.  He has not spoken or made any apparent effort to speak that has been observed.   He is not out of the woods, and there will be an exceptionally long road of rehabilitation in his future.  We do not know how much function he may regain.  But we know Nik…we know that he is a fighter.

All funds raised here will be used to support Nik’s medical expenses, his rehabilitation, any adaptations he may require, and to replace some of the day to day care he provided for his mother, just as Nik would want.

Nik has given himself tirelessly to help make our world a better place. People and organizations have come to depend on Nik's vast body of knowledge and his willingness to give himself in service to others.  His reach in the community is large.  Now it is our turn to help him and his family. 

For those of you who might not know him well, here’s a little more about Nik.

Nik Bramblett grew up in Rock Hill, the son of Curt and Helen Bramblett.  He attended  Richmond Drive Elementary, The Catawba School, Sullivan Jr. High, and Northwestern High School, where he was a member of the Purple Regiment Band.  He graduated in 1984.  He later graduated from Rollins College and became a high school language arts teacher in Orlando, Florida.  One of his many passions in life included music.  As a life-long musician and keyboardist, Nik had performed in numerous venues.  Just as when he was performing, he approached life with a bold attitude and fearlessly took on any challenge that life threw at him.

In fact, Nik has had to recover his health once before.  After a significant brain infection rendered him disabled in 2009, Nik came home to Rock Hill to live among family and friends. 

Since those early days, when his mom often helped him with daily tasks, he was able to regain much of his function, becoming stronger, healthier, and more active with each passing year.  As he became more and more able, he committed himself to becoming the quintessential Man About Town: Living a healthy life, earning his master’s degree from Winthrop University, gardening, and dedicating his time to serving others all; with his sweet dog Pearl at his side.  Among many singular events, he has given his time regularly as a Clerk with the York County Board of Elections; serving as the treasurer of the Catawba Community Mental Health Foundation, and the treasurer of York County Library Board of Trustees.  In addition, Nik regularly volunteered with the Catawba Riverkeepers to help clean our local waterways.

Those who work closest with him have always described him as “a great cheerleader who always makes himself available when needed and puts in extra hours to help, ” and “We are lucky to have such a staunch supporter.”

After challenges in 2009 and as his health improved, his mom’s health began to falter.  Nik selflessly began caring for her, cooking her meals daily, helping to coordinate her healthcare, and ensuring that her needs were met as she once had to do for him.  She’s lost without him.  Not just as a caregiver but she also deeply misses his company and candor.

Nik is now in need of the community’s support just as he has supported us, his mother, and all of Rock Hill and York County. We are asking that you please help give back to Nik. 


** A note about who I am. My name is Raoul (pronounced like "Paul") Sheridan. Nik is my brother-in-law, as I had the privilege of marrying his younger sister 20 years ago. Nik even played piano beautifully at our wedding. I was asked to handle setting up this fundraiser for the family as they deal with so many other challenges. Nik’s immediate family will determine how best to support Nik with any donations received, and while we get used to a new normal, I’ll do my best to keep everyone here informed. Thank you all.