Spaghetti dinner benefits Brandon Bushmire
Brandon Bushmire before the accident.
Now, Bushmire is only beginning to learn basic and simple commands, due to the severe head injuries he sustained when he was hit by a car on Sept. 8.
Now, Bushmire is only beginning to learn basic and simple commands, due to the severe head injuries he sustained when he was hit by a car on Sept. 8.
A dinner benefitting Brandon Bushmire is set for Jan. 5 at the South Fayette Fire Department. Bushmire, 21, was seriously injured Sept. 8 when he was struck by a car that evening while walking with friends near the Indiana University of Pennsylvania campus, where he was studying business.
Bushmire, a 2010 graduate of South Fayette High School, now lives in North Strabane Township. Friends and family are organizing the benefit dinner, which will also feature entertainment, a Chinese auction, silent auction and 50/50, to help pay for out-of-pocket expenses. Bushmire is the son of Alan Bushmire of North Strabane and Dorothy Deep of Bethel Park.
Diane Merkle of North Strabane, a close family friend of the Bushmires, is helping to organize the event. She said on the night of Bushmire’s accident, he sustained “life-threatening head injuries” and was airlifted to Allegheny General Hospital, where he spent seven weeks in the Trauma/Neuro Intensive Care Unit. When he first arrived at Allegheny General, he had a craniectomy to remove a portion of his skull to relieve the swelling and pressure on his brain.
“Brandon was in very critical condition and under a medically induced coma for several weeks,” Merkle said, adding that during that time he had two shunt procedures to help release fluid on his brain.
Bushmire was released to the Children’s Institute in Squirrel Hill in late October to begin his next phase of recovery.
“The family has been told with this type of injury, it can take up to two years before they can learn if there are any permanent or residual long-term effects,” Merkle said. He will be residing at the Children’s Institute for the next few months and is semi-conscious and beginning to relearn very basic and simple commands.
“His right side is severely disabled at this point, and will take much rehab to become functional again,” Merkle said.
As Bushmire gets stronger, he will be taught “the simple things we all take for granted” like walking, talking and feeding himself.
Before the accident, Bushmire was very much into body building and fitness. “He worked out faithfully,” she said, adding that the doctors have said because he took such good care of himself it was beneficial to him getting through all that he has so far. Bushmire has lost about 50 pounds since the accident, because he has to be fed through a gastrostomy tube.
“He’s such a good kid,” Merkle said adding that he has always been “a very respectable well-liked kid.”
Merkle said, “We have a good feeling about him. The doctors are hopeful.” She added that it is still going to be a long road and that other fundraisers like a pancake breakfast are in the works.
The dinner will be held at the South Fayette Volunteer Fire because Bushmire’s dad, Alan, was a firefighter there for eight years. The firefighters have stepped forward to have the benefit there and will provide support and staffing.
The benefit dinner will be held from 3 to 7 p.m. Jan. 5 at the South Fayette Volunteer Fire Department located at 661 Millers Run Road, Cuddy. No advanced tickets are needed. The meal includes pasta and meatball dinner, tossed salad, fresh homemade bread, dessert table and beverage. The cost is $15 per adult, $7 per child, $10 per college student or $40 per family (four or more). Take-out is also available.
Music and entertainment will be provided by Jimmy Z Trio. Catering will provided by Chef Claudio Masci of Claudio’s Pizza and Ristorante. Pennsylvania Macaroni Company donated food and the desserts will be provided by Chili’s with supplies and support donated by Green Tree Animal Clinic.
To learn more about his recovery, visit facebook.com/BrandonBushmireRecoveryStatus