THE PAPER
of Wabash County Inc.
www.thepaperofwabash.com
September 26, 2012
Proudly Serving Wabash County Since 1977
Friend of man paralyzed in accident to host fundraiser
By Ashley Flynn June 8, 2012, Kurt and Stephanie (Baker) Braun, Wabash, loaded into their van with their two small children, Olivia and Mason, two dogs, and Stephanie’s mother, Susan Baker. Stephanie drove while her husband sat in the very back, and the family headed towards a lake near Warsaw. About an hour into the drive, Kurt looked up and saw a vehicle cross the centerline and into their path. Stephanie saw it too, but there was little she could do. The vehicle was moving too fast. “Watch out,” yelled Kurt, “they are going to hit us.” Stephanie swerved, but it was too late. The vehicle collided into theirs in the front of the driver’s side. The van rolled into a ditch. Immediately, Kurt thought of his wife. The vehicle hit right where she was. “Is Stephanie
alive?” he asked. Stephanie was fine. She only suffered a few minor injuries from glass. She searched for her phone to call the police, but she had no signal. “Does anyone need help in here?” said a stranger’s voice from outside. “Yes, yes we do,” said Stephanie. Kurt already knew there was something wrong with his legs when he arrived to the hospital. They had been tingling since the van started rolling. He was flown to Parkview Hospital in Fort Wayne where he spent 15 days in the ICU. Then he was transferred to Select Specialty at St. Joseph’s Hospital where he spent another 30 days. On July 31, he was transferred to L u t h e r a n ’ s Rehabilitation Hospital. Kurt finally got to go home on Sept. 13. During the hospital stay, Kurt underwent
surgery on the front and back of his neck, which was dislocated in the accident. His spine was also dislocated. He had multiple blood transfusions, and a tracheotomy. While at the rehabilitation hospital, Kurt went through intense three-hour therapy six days a week to help strengthen his arms. They also worked on intense balance therapy to strengthen the stomach area. Kurt said that therapy was so intense and concentrated that it took all this strength for the rest of the day. At home, Kurt continues to do therapy three days a week for two hours. He is now able to do some daily tasks such as brush his teeth, eat and shave on his own with the help of a band around his hand. He currently needs someone with him all the time, but it is his goal to be able to be home alone. Stephanie, a teacher in Logansport, has been
THE BRAUN FAMILY was involved in a head-on collision on June 8 that left father of two, Kurt Braun, paralyzed from the chest down. Kurt returned home from the hospital Sept. 13. Pictured are (from left) Olivia, Kurt, Mason, and Stephanie Braun. (photo by Ashley Flynn) taking vacation to care for her band. They receive help
days husalso from
family and friends. Doctors say he has muscle activity in his legs, so they are not
Rezoning talks stall at Wabash City School Board meeting Sept. 17 by Brent Swan A crowd of nearly 100 concerned residents voiced their opinions regarding the possibility of rezoning the property for future site development at 1101 Colerain St., Wabash, during the Sept. 17 Wabash City School Board meeting. The meeting, held at the L.H. Carpenter Center, led off with a statement from attorney Rick Fisher, representing a group of neighboring residents, which stated the residents were opposed to the possibility of rezoning
RICK FISHER, attorney representing local homeowners, hands paperwork over to Wabash City Schools Superintendent Jason Callahan during the Sept. 17 City School Board Meeting. The board had looked into the possibility of selling off a portion of land adjacent to the Administrative Offices to a developer. Over 100 nearby homeowners showed up to express their opinions during the meeting. (photo by Harold V. Chatlosh) the property to R-4 of population in a restrictive - single there are very few in status. given area,” Fisher family, low density, number currently in “Most of the differ- said to the school residential areas. R-2 Wabash. Avalon, ences (in zoning) have board. “There is R-1, is a property such as S e n i o r t o w n , to do with the density which is the most Crosspointe. R-4, (continued on page 6)
Index Classifieds ......................30-34
Weekly Reports................18-20
D&E ................................21-22
Sports ............................23-24
completely dead, but the outlook is unclear. There is still inflammation around the spine and Kurt can feel nothing from the chest down. The Braun family is in the process of remodeling their home to make it more accessible for Kurt. They have installed ramps into the home, turned a closet into a shower, widened doorways to be 36 inches, and changed the computer room into Kurt’s room where carpet had to be replaced with tiles. Kurt uses a loaner wheelchair for now, but can only be in it about 4-5 hours per day. Not only has this been a struggle for Kurt and Stephanie, but their two children have had to make a lot of adjustments also. “It has been harder on Olivia because she is older. She understands more. Sometimes she gets
In Memoriam Katherine Carr, 94 Margaret Collins, 80 Francis Fisher, Jr., 84
Suzanne Gaylourd, 59 David Hostetler, 60 Ronald Munson, 75
upset when Daddy can’t do the things he used to like run around,” said Stephanie. “We just tell her that even though Daddy can’t do certain things anymore doesn’t mean he’s not here.” Olivia started kindergarten this year, and Kurt was unable to take his daughter to her first day of school. “The kids were Daddy’s kids, but now they’ve been hanging out with Mom more,” said Stephanie. “He still gets to read books to them at night.” Although the situation is rough, Kurt has managed to stay positive. “Every day we tackle a new hurdle, but I have to work to get better,” said Kurt. “It could have been worse. At least Steph and the kids are fine. Of course the situation is bad, but we could be dealing with (continued on page 6)
Vol. 36, No. 28
EmmaLou Rice, 84 Billy Spann, 87 Stephen Trump, 56
PO Box 603, Wabash, IN 46992 (260) 563-8326