In my line of work, I meet a lot of new people regularly. But with my CRS (Can’t Remember Sh*t) condition, I unfortunately do not remember many of them. That’s not the case with an unforgettable local guy I met six years ago in Mexico.
At my previous radio employer, at a station that got blown up by new owners a few months after the trip, I was able to take a working vacation in Cozumel, Mexico, where we stayed at an all inclusive Iberostar resort. Was lucky enough to bring my wife and host a group of around 40 fun-lovin’ central Illinoisans.
We bonded with a few couples, one of whom being Eric and Brenda Besserer, who traveled with their friends Denny and Barb Boulton. Eric was the lively, upbeat joker in the crew who kept us laughing throughout the week. Our group kept in touch a bit and got together afterward, but we faded back into our usual circle of friends and now keep in touch mainly through Facebook.
Last August, Eric and Brenda were injured in an ATV accident. Brenda spent the night in the emergency room, but Eric was more seriously hurt. His hospital stay lasted 41 days due to a spinal cord injury. He’s now paralyzed from the waist down and uses a wheelchair to get around.
The Besserer’s life has been turned upside down obviously. Eric’s no longer able to work and needs everyday assistance. Their home and vehicles are not wheelchair friendly. They spend much of their time going to doctor appointments, rehab and therapy sessions and such.
Saturday, their friends and family are hosting a fundraiser to offset the many unexpected expenses of their “new normal” situation. If you can, drop by the Travelodge Hotel & Conference Center at 4400 N. Brandywine Drive in Peoria, on the other side of War Memorial Drive from the Northwoods Mall, anytime between noon and 10 p.m.
Enjoy live music (Robin Crowe, Dave Chastain and many others!) food, silent auctions and raffles that day. They’ll host a bags tournament there, too. Cash donations to defer medical costs will be accepted. If you can’t make it that Saturday, donations can be made to the “Eric and Brenda Besserer Fundraiser” account at CEFCU or online through MyEvent at: http://myevent.com/EricandBrendaBessererFundraiser. They also have a FB page set up, view that HERE.
I really enjoyed hanging out with Eric and Brenda, and you will too, so help them out if you are able.
Doc Watson
