VENDOR SPOTLIGHT

While Brian W. recovers, community steps in to help

BY HANNAH HERNER

It’s been three months since top vendor Brian W. could be out selling The Contributor.

His doctors have told him to “find an inside job” out of the sun that caused his skin cancer. They estimate another six months until he’s completely healed from the surgery he had on his arm in an effort to remove it.

“Really they say I just need to hang it up. I’m like, I’ll figure something out,” he says.

It’s not his first bout with skin cancer. He lost part of his left ear before, because of all of the time in the sun as an ironworker in his first career.

“I’m at a loss for words. I’m so much quieter now,” he says. “This cancer got me kinda freaked out. I know I’ll be all right. When you’re going through it, it’s hard to explain. I’ll get better.”

In the meantime, he’s trying to take care of himself and rest, and help out around the house, but is dealing with severe pain.

“It’s starting to bum me out, I’m trying to stay positive,” he says.

He says he knows he’ll be met with support from his clientele in Franklin once he can get back out on the corner. One of his customers has organized a GoFundMe to help keep Brian afloat during this time he has to take away from working.

Brian was in the habit of buying papers from others and after he was laid off and started finding success as a Contributor vendor, he would still give away a percentage of his income every month. Now it’s an adjustment to have the tables turned, just scraping by with his wife’s income, he says.

Brian wants his customers to know he appreciates the support.

“I ain’t worked in three months, so it’s been a while. People are going to freak when I come back. I shaved my beard and cut my hair,” he says. “I’m on the road to recovery. I’ll be back. I appreciate you all. Use sunblock. Be careful of COVID-19.”

Brian has sold the highest total of papers of any Contributor vendor in history, and as always, wants to get back to the top of the list for each new issue.

“Buy my paper man. I want to be number one again. I gotta bounce back. Just keep supporting. It’s starting to bum me out. I got to get back in the public,” he says. “I will be back soon.”

If you wish to contribute to the GoFundMe, visit gofund.me/6559d328 And if you wish to send a message to Brian, please contact hannah@the contributor.org