A benefit account was set up this week for a family of community supporters who have faced many obstacles in recent weeks.
Heather Bradberry-Rasberry reported she came home on Aug. 9 and found her husband, Chad Rasberry unresponsive. He is known to many for his work as a substitute teacher and a worker at Bradberry Builders Supply.
She called for assistance and drove him to Harris Methodist Hospital Stephenville, where it was determined he had a seizure. He was transported to Medical City Dallas and admitted into the ICU.
September marks the third year that Chad has been a kidney transplant patient, and he has been on dialysis for a year.
The doctors discovered an infection, MSSA, stemming from the central line for dialysis, which had caused a blood infection known as sepsis.
It looked like things were improving and Chad was allowed to return home home last week, but after less than a day, his condition deteriorated, leading to septic shock and seizures.
On Aug. 22, he was airlifted to Medical City Fort Worth, where he continues his brave fight in the MICU and Neuro ICU.
Chad’s journey has been marked by unexpected twists, from heart issues requiring surgery to the need for blood transfusions and plasma.
“We’ve had a great team of doctors and nurses,” Heather said, adding that Medical City Dallas was great but Medical City Fort Worth has been even better with staff checking in on Chad, even on days they’re not assigned to his room. She has appreciated their dedications as complications have arisen consistently. “We get one thing figured out then it’s something else,” she said.
The prognosis is still uncertain with Chad having issues with word recall and attentiveness and likely facing physical therapy when he can be released.
Heather said there are moments where Chad’s trademark personality and sarcastic sense of humor come out, but they are few and far between.
He is also entering his third year on the transplant list for a kidney, and these complications come just as he was moved to the active list. Heather said he is ‘accruing time’ now and likely won’t be receiving an organ unless a perfect match comes along.
With Chad in the hospital for 20 days as of Tuesday, Heather said the month of August has been a blur, particularly as their son, Charlie, enters his senior year at Dublin High School.
“This is not the way we wanted to start Charlie’s senior year,” she said.
Knowing the financial strain and stress the family was under, DISD Board member and Chamber of Commerce President Blanca Martineau called Heather about starting a GoFundMe page.
Heather was initially hesitant but moved by the consideration.
“I was a little surprised,” she admitted. “I didn’t quite know what to think. We don’t like to ask for help. I like to be the one to help.”
The benefit page emphasizes how much support would mean right now: “Chad… has touched many lives and now he needs our collective strength. Your contributions will help cover mounting medical expenses, ongoing treatments, and the unforeseen challenges that lie ahead.
“Every donation, no matter the size, will make a significant impact on Chad’s journey to recovery. Let’s come together as a community and provide Chad, his wife, and their son Charlie, with the support they truly deserve. Your generosity and kindness will not be forgotten.”
“There is no way to say how incredibly grateful we are of all the prayers support,” Heather said. “Everything has been amazing.”
As of Tuesday morning, Dublin had already stepped up with $850 of the $10,000 goal. Anyone who would like to support their neighbors in need can visit https://gofund. me/2762f6c7