Support Brandon Menard's Boating Accident Recovery

Many of you know Brandon as the owner & operator of Cypress Bottom Retrievers and a waterfowl guide for Full Strap and Stringer Outfitter and Guide Service. He is also actively involved as a participant and judge in HRC and AKC retriever hunt test venues. On January 4th, Brandon was involved in a boating accident. Below is Brandon’s personal account of the accident. We will be following up with posts to this page as Brandon progresses through his recovery. We want to thank you for all of your thoughts and prayers.

Sincerely,

Friends of the Menard Family

“I’d like to start this post out by saying this is not made for pity. If you know me, you know I don’t like pity nor do I like to give it.

On January 4th at approximately 2 PM, I was involved in my very first boating accident. As I was driving down the river alone, I turned around to check on the buddy in the boat following me. While doing so, I glanced at my tachometer and made a quick adjustment for better engine performance. When I turned back around, there was a tree hanging over into the river 20 feet in front of me. I consider myself an exceptional boat handler. I’ve spent many years on the water driving boats of all sorts, but there was no maneuver that could be made to avoid it. As best as I could, I braced myself for impact. When I came to, I found myself grabbing for every limb I could to pull myself to the bank. I was having difficulty breathing as well as difficulty speaking. Shortly after reaching dry ground, my buddy Paul Scott Webber pulled up onto the bank next to me and loaded me into his boat. We rushed to our private launch, loaded me in the bed of a truck, and met an ambulance up the road. I was carried to Rapides Regional Medical Center. After a few quick examinations, we found that all of my ribs on my right side had been broken. My right lung was collapsed, and my jaw was broken as well. Bruised, beaten, and bleeding, I was an emotional mess. Shortness of breath had me scared to death, and the fact that my voice sounded restricted scared me even worse. I am blessed to be here today. I got comfortable in my abilities. I took my eyes off the ball. Again, I don’t want pity; I want to bring awareness to those of us who are comfortable thinking “I got this”! It only takes a split second. I know there is a reason this has happened to me, and it is yet to be known, but I am sure that one day it will show its face!

To my FS&S family, there are no words to express the gratitude I owe you. Trained professionals to handle situations like this make me proud to be a part of this team and make me feel safe knowing that no matter the circumstance, we got you!!!

To my friends and family who have reached out via text, phone call, or Facebook, you guys helped keep my faith that I would make it through this. I wanted for absolutely nothing, and I was never without company. Everything in my life was taken care of in the blink of an eye and with smiles on their faces.

Lastly, the Trauma team at Rapides Regional.. second to none! They took me in as family and made my stay as comfortable and understanding as possible. Thank you, Rapides Regional. Hope to see you guys no time soon!!!”