Stand by Mr. Richard Brookes, Teacher, After Tragic Shooting
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A Teacher in Need: Mr. Brookes’ Story
Urgent edit for Jan 15th/2025
Update: Thank You for Your Love and Support
Dear friends, family, and supporters,
First, we want to thank you all from the bottom of our hearts for your continued prayers, love, and support during this incredibly challenging time. We have felt your care and encouragement, and it has truly kept us going.
We’re happy to share that Rich is feeling better health-wise, and the scar on his back has healed. However, he still has bullet fragments lodged in his back. For now, the doctors are leaving them in place, and we’ll continue to monitor his condition as time goes on.
Unfortunately, we need to share an urgent financial update. Rich’s paycheck for January was nearly $2,000 less than we were expecting, which came as a devastating shock to us. When we tried to get answers before the holidays, we were told the payroll office wouldn’t be back until January 7th. This left us in an agonizing situation from December 22nd to January 7th, not knowing what was going on and having no money to cover our basic needs.
When Rich finally spoke to his employer, he was told this reduction was due to him not having sick time and needing to pay for substitute teachers during his absence. This explanation was both confusing and heartbreaking, as it felt like we were being told, “That’s just the way it is—sorry, so what?”
This financial blow has left us in a dire situation, and we are humbly asking for your continued help. Every contribution, no matter how small, is a lifeline for us as we try to keep our family afloat.
To make matters more challenging, our daughter’s birthday is on January 17th. She’s such a sweet, forgiving, and loving child. She would be perfectly happy with just a hike in the woods, collecting new bird sounds for her app, and a homemade cake. While that might sound idyllic, as her parents, it’s hard not to feel heartbroken that we can’t do more for her on her special day.
I’ll be baking her a cake from scratch (thanks to my Midwest upbringing and my grandma’s lessons!), and we’ll make sure she feels all the love we have for her. But we’re still struggling to make ends meet and would deeply appreciate any help during this time.
Thank you all so much for being there for us. Your kindness has been a beacon of light during these dark times, and we hope you all have a wonderful week filled with love and blessings.
With gratitude,
Elizabeth Brookes
Hello, my name is Richard (Edward) Brookes. I’m a lifelong educator, specializing in working with autistic and special education students ***And drive by shooting victim***. Over the years, many of you might remember me as the teacher who made home visits to reach children in the mountains, or from my time at Bay Area schools. Schools like Brook Noll Elementary, Aptos High school, Price Middle School, and Bridges Academy, previously Fair Middle School. Teaching has always been my passion, and my students are like family to me. It’s a role that not only fulfills me but also allows me to make a difference in the lives of so many.
Unfortunately, my life took an unexpected and tragic turn recently. While enjoying a beautiful evening with lifelong friends at a birthday dinner, reflecting on the gratitude of shared years and cherished memories, a gang-related drive-by shooting shattered our gathering. This kind of violence was unthinkable in our peaceful area. I was an innocent victim, struck in the back by a bullet. The injury fractured my ribs and left fragments lodged near my diaphragm. I was hospitalized for four days, and while I am grateful to be alive, I am now facing significant medical challenges.
The road ahead is uncertain. I am awaiting a consultation with another surgeon to determine whether further surgery will be required. In the meantime, the recovery process and medical expenses are overwhelming. As a teacher, taking time away from my classroom is the last thing I want, especially during this critical time of year when my students rely on me the most. But I need to focus on healing so that I can return to the work that means so much to me—and to my community.
I am reaching out to you now for support. Your generosity will help cover medical bills, ongoing treatments, and the financial strain of being away from work. It will also bring me one step closer to getting back to my classroom, where I am needed most. Thank you for considering my story and for any assistance you can provide. It means the world to me and the many students and families I’ve been fortunate to serve over the years.
Sincerely,
Mr. Brookes.
*****Update
Dec 4th, 2024
Thank you to everyone for all of their support! It has meant the world to Rich, Claire and I! Without it we would be struggling our way through medical bills and deep in medical debt. I have been surprised to see the number of things that aren’t covered when you take a 25 mile ambulance ride and are in a trauma rated hospital that is not affiliated to your insurance!!
Rich ran out of PTO and sick time so we are depending on the kindness of strangers to quote a favorite lady of mine. If you know you know, if you don’t I will tell you at the next update! ;)
Thanks for being a supporter and hanging in there with us!
With deep affection and regard,
Elizabeth
Organiser
Beth Brookes
Organiser
San Jose, CA