CALLING TEAM TRACI!!!
CONTRIBUTING WRITER: KARYLE GREEN, Ed.D. PRINCIPAL OF COCOA BACH JR./SR. HIGH SCHOOL
If you’ve been a part of Cocoa Beach Jr./Sr. HS over the past 13 years, you would have crossed paths with Traci Riddlehoover, our bookkeeper. Everyone knows Traci. She has kept our financial records clean, accurate and current. She works with coaches to make sure our teams are equipped, our concession stands are full and our officials are paid. She works with club sponsors to ensure that events can be held, students can travel and donations are credited to the proper accounts. Last year, Cocoa Beach was one of four schools in Brevard County without any audit comments. That’s a testament to Traci’s knowledge, efficiency and work ethic! They say that things can change in an instant. That’s what happened to Traci on December 4, 2018, when she was involved in a single-car accident on the way to work. Traci was taken to Holmes Trauma Center with multiple injuries including those to her C5 and C6 vertebrae. She underwent surgery that afternoon to repair broken bones in her neck and other soft tissue injuries. The initial prognosis was bleak – paralysis from the neck down. But since then, there have been some positive signs. Traci now has use of her arms, but not her hands. She is not able to walk. Unfortunately, Traci’s doctors are not sure if she will ever regain use of her hands or be able to walk again. She is currently in a rehabilitation hospital that specializes in spinal cord injuries. Much of this treatment and rehab that she needs is not fully covered by her insurance.
Photo provided by Karyle Green
There is so much that is needed to support her rehabilitation. Not only monetarily, as insurance does not fully cover costs, but in the form of manpower to design and retrofit her house for wheelchair accessibility, a van that is wheelchair compatible, and even a wheelchair to help her get around. If you have expertise in the area of construction or know someone who does, or if you have an organization willing to take on a cause, or if you know Traci personally, please consider finding a way to support the efforts to help Traci be mobile! With continuing specialized rehab and therapies, it is the hope that she will regain as much function as possible.
Traci and her mom. Photo provided by Karyle Green
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Traci is proud daughter of Rosemary Brutto and the late Sergeant Louis Brutto where he served for 21 years at the Brevard County Sheriff ’s Dept. She has been employed by Cocoa Beach Jr/Sr. HS at Brevard County Schools for the past 18 years. Join us as we strive to Get Traci Mobile Again! Call Cocoa Beach Jr./Sr. HS for more info!
