Community rallies around Brenton following severe car accident

Friends, family and community members are rallying around 14-year-old Brenton and his family as he faces what is expected to be a long recovery following a severe car accident last week.

A GoFundMe fundraiser established to help Brenton's family with expenses has raised more than $4,000 as of Thursday, Aug. 27.

According to information shared by the family through the fundraiser, Brenton was on his way to a rodeo Friday, Aug. 21, when he was involved in a serious accident. The truck he was traveling in rolled, and Brenton was ejected through the windshield.

He was flown by medical helicopter to Wesley Medical Center in Wichita, Kansas, where doctors determined he had suffered a severe traumatic brain injury as well as multiple broken bones.

Brenton's mother, Brittany, said following the accident that doctors placed her son in a medically induced coma and on a ventilator while attempting to give his brain time to rest and heal.

"The good things are Brenton is stubborn and strong," Brittany said in an update shared through the fundraiser. "Things are going as well as they can be expected in this situation."

In the days since the accident, Brenton has begun showing encouraging signs of improvement.

According to an Aug. 27 update, he has begun responding to pain, fluttering his eyes, lifting his eyebrows, squeezing hands and moving his body. He has also begun breathing primarily on his own as doctors gradually reduce his sedation medication.

His chest tube and neck brace have been removed, and family members said he has become increasingly active.

The family remains "cautiously optimistic," however, as doctors have warned that Brenton faces a lengthy recovery.

An MRI conducted this week showed significant skull fractures as well as a small spinal fracture. The full effects of his injuries may not be known until he awakens, according to the fundraiser.

If Brenton continues breathing strongly and his other vital signs remain stable, doctors may soon attempt to remove his breathing tube.

His treatment is also expected to continue well beyond his hospitalization in Wichita. Doctors anticipate that Brenton will likely require an extended stay at a rehabilitation facility specializing in severe traumatic brain injuries, potentially outside Oklahoma.

The GoFundMe was established to help his family meet the mounting expenses associated with his care.

Brenton's mother and grandmother, Susan, have remained at his bedside around the clock. Donations are currently helping cover expenses including gasoline and food while the family stays in Wichita.

Those costs are expected to increase considerably once Brenton enters rehabilitation, with the family potentially facing expenses for lodging, transportation and food in addition to lost income from missed work.

"Brittany and Susan have limited amounts of paid time off," organizers wrote. "It's hard to imagine trying to go back to work when your 14-year-old is in the ICU."

Along with financial assistance, Brenton's family has continued asking the community for prayers and support throughout his recovery.

"Anyone who knows Brenton knows that he is a special kid who can light up any room," organizers wrote.

The family said the outpouring of messages, telephone calls, prayers and donations since the accident has provided encouragement during an extraordinarily difficult week.

"We praise God for the progress Brenton has made this week," organizers wrote. "Thankfully he is young. His youth and strength will really help him in his recovery."

Those wishing to contribute can visit the "Brenton's Recovery After a Severe Car Accident" fundraiser on GoFundMe. Donations will help the family with travel, food, lodging, missed work and other expenses associated with Brenton's hospitalization and eventual rehabilitation.

As his recovery continues, the family is asking the community to keep Brenton, Brittany, Susan and their loved ones in their thoughts and prayers.