Community Helps Army Veteran Who Needs A Home After Suffering Traumatic Brain Injury

In 2018, now 26-year-old Army Veteran Brandon Wears was on a night jump during military training when something went awfully wrong.

He was swept off his feet, hit his head and went unconscious. His fall caused a traumatic brain injury, which not only prevented him from working, but disallowed him from even leaving the house.

He had to lay down all day and night, sleep as much as possible, and would get sick with just one movement.

His family bought an old home in Bridgton, Maine, so Wears and his two kids could live with them. Wears and both of his kids all share a room in the basement, without a kitchen or bathroom of their own.

While they could make do in the meantime, Chris Rocci, a local plumber, felt like they needed more and offered to help.

Rocci and the Bridgton community are working together to help Wears get a new home. They have put together a fundraiser that will take place at Gary’s Old Towne Tavern in Naples on November 14. They are also collecting donations from people and local businesses leading up to it.

Wears says he is grateful and overwhelmed by the outpouring of support.

“People lose their limbs, they don’t have anything to go on and their communities have no idea what’s going on with them, and I just don’t feel like I should have this spotlight, to be honest,” Wears told WGME.

But Rocci, along with the rest of the community, believes that Wears deserves this and should not be left behind.