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Old 09-20-2012, 09:28 AM
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Default Brooke, A Young Injured Surfer Could Use Our Help


Brooke Thabit

I first met the Thabits eight years ago when I moved into their neighborhood. I can recall Brooke, just a young girl in those days, charged with energy, life and intelligence. She developed a love for the ocean, diving and in particular surfing over the following years. You would see her surfing off the local beach many weekends, becoming immersed in the life. We had spoken about getting into kitesurfing a couple of times and I thought she might do so in the future.

A couple of years back her family relocated to the seaside community of Jensen Beach, FL. Surfing and the ocean became an even more integral part of her life. No more Bahamas in the way of those nice good sized long period waves rolling in from the Atlantic. She is currently a senior at Jensen Beach High School and heavily involved in the community.





She got a job with Ohana Surf Shop in Stuart, FL and became a teamrider for the shop. She threw herself into the Ohana's community service work including Surfers For Autism and The Special Olympics.



Brooke riding off Hutchinson Island, FL.


On Labor Day this year she was hanging out with some friends on a dock, just kidding around. Being an avid waterperson she launched a dive into the water. What she didn't realize is that the turbid water was only knee deep.

She struck bottom, fractured her neck and immediately suffered paralysis. She underwent emergency surgery and has been progressing slowly with some limited restoration of sensation and movement in her lower extremities since that time. Still, she is an upbeat person by nature and well liked in the community receiving support from her many friends. She even received a visit from a famous surfing icon, Jamie O'Brien recently. Jamie is renown for his exploits at his home break of Pipeline in Oahu. Brooke was really stoked by this visit, bringing a huge smile to her face.



Jamie O'Brien visits with Brooke in the hospital.





You can read more about Brooke and Jamie's visit in an in depth five page illustrated article in Easternsurf.com:
http://www.easternsurf.com/index.php...-up&Itemid=111




Still, recovering from such injuries is never an easy, short term thing. It takes strong commitment, patience and money to fund rehab over an extended period of time. She is being relocated to a special center in Atlanta, Georgia to aid her rehabilitation. In fact, I understand the family is taking Brooke up there tomorrow.

Brooke could really use your support, both positive messages and donations if you can to aid in her healing.



You can easily make donations online through Ohana Surf Shop
with all funds going directly to Brooke's family for her care at:
http://www.indiegogo.com/welovebrooke


and

They are raffling a surfboard signed by Jamie O'Brian to benefit Brooke ...



"LETS RAISE SOME $$$ FOR BROOKE!!! wE ARE RAFFLING A RUSTY 6'0 BALI SINGLE FIN-SIGNED BY JAMIE O'BRIEN AND HAND SHAPED BY RUSTY--TICKETS ARE $5 EACH---100% GOES TO BROOKE'S REHAB EXPENSES!!! ISLAND WATER SPORTS IN DEERFIELD IS DOING THE SAME IF YOU ARE DOWN THAT WAY."






You can purchase raffle tickets for the surfboard at:



http://www.ohanasurfshop.com/


and at



http://www.islandwatersports.com/


Brooke is a free spirt, giving person and child of the ocean, please help her if you can. It would be great to see her surfing again one of these days. With our support, hard work in rehab and good fortune it may come to pass.

Thank you





.
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Last edited by ricki; 09-20-2012 at 09:44 AM.
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Old 10-06-2012, 09:48 PM
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An update from Alison, Brooke's mother from Facebook:

"Rick thank you so much for creating this site about Brooke. We love the pics and everything you wrote about her. She continues to get stronger each day. She is such an inspiration in her recovery to all! Our little mermaid will be back surfing and scuba diving soon! We know the ocean is waiting for her return!"

Excellent news and that's the spirit Brooke, keep up the good work!
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Old 01-24-2013, 01:39 PM
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An update from Brooke is below. Keep up the great progress Brooke, we're thinking about you and wish you the best! Have a blast diving and please post some photos.


"One week ago today...
We left our "Shepherd Bubble"... We did break our drive up with a stay in Savannah and Melbourne. In Melbourne we stayed on the beach so we could both soak up some salt air. Much to Brooke's surprise (and I wasn't sure I was going to convince her to go) there was a big Welcome Home Party for her at Ohana! We drove straight there- right past our house! She was a little overwhelmed for the first few minutes, but all the love calmed her nerves! It was amazing to feel so many people continuing to cheer on Brooke's recovery! Thank you to Jordan and Tara for hosting and for everyone who was able to attend. When we arrived home we had an excellent dinner ready for us from our neighbor Anne- one of the best cooks I know! (And GG made yummy Million Dollar Spaghetti as well). That night Brooke REALLY wanted to sleep in her own bed upstairs! And of course there was no way her Daddy was denying her that! Since the Soch's came over we had lots of strong men (Bryan, Kyle, and Ted) to get her safely (the way Shepherd taught us) to check out her room. After such an emotional day we both slept great! The rest of days home have been filled with figuring out where to continue rehab. Searching for a new place to live in Stuart. Trying to organize all the "stuff" we brought home from Shepherd. A few doctor appointments or figuring who will be Brooke's new specialists now that we are home! It's been an emotional rollercoaster, so Brooke and I have spent time with our friend Susan who helps us work through these emotions! We installed an electric seat in the Sequoia so we can transfer Brooke safely- it's very cool! Thanks to all our friends who brought us dinners this week- each meal was so yummy! We actually don't even have leftovers! It has been a tremendous help not worrying about what we were going to eat! Thank you- Thank you- Thank you! Jordan, Tara, Jenna, and Curran stole Brooke away from us Wednesday night and took her to dinner, the mall, and a movie. It was great for her to spend time with them. She has been smiling ever since! Thursday we found the place for Brooke to continue her rehabilitation. We are very excited! It is called Neuroexcel. Check out their website! She will participate in the CAST program. It will be intense, but she is ready and excited! We start Monday! Two brothers own it- one of them is a C6- Brooke's same level of injury, also a diving accident. They used to live in Boca near our house! They are also SCUBA divers and can update our certifications for us to meet Brooke's needs so we can all still dive safely! We can't wait to get back into the water! Brooke loved diving in the Georgia Aquarium- she said when she is underwater she doesn't feel injured! Looks like the Thabit family will get to head back to Keys and continue to enjoy their love of the Ocean!! Kevin and Tom of Neuroexcel lectured Brooke that her chair DOES NOT define her! She needs to hang with all her friends from before the accident and continue to do the things she loves! Even if it is a little different! She is hesitant to surf on her belly- but they told her what great practice in balance!!! So it is time to get the Mermaid actually back into the sea!! AND we came a step closer to that last night!!!... One of Brooke's best friends from Boca, Sophie, drove up to give her a surprise! She won a beach wheelchair for Brooke!!! This was one of the those pieces of equipment we knew we would need to purchase without the help of insurance. This is such a blessing! She came up and recorded Brooke's reaction to send to the show. Who knows they may end up on TV too!!! This is Sophie's Facebook post about it: Today showed me that miracles do happen! I want to give a special special thanks to The Buried Life and Ms. Gross for making my best friend's wish come true! Brooke, I can't wait for you to get your hippocampe! You're gonna be the coolest girl on the beach! I love you so much! Keep your head up! You have great things ahead of you! Today we will need to get her a bone density scan and a Dr's note allowing her to participate in her rehab on Monday! We have our appointment at 1pm! Thank you for the continued support during the next phase of Brooke's recovery! We couldn't do this without all of you!
We are truly learning that Life does indeed ROLL ON!"




https://www.facebook.com/TeamBrooke
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Old 01-27-2013, 04:36 PM
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Default Rick?

I am wondering if Theo (the young German kiteboarder who had a similar injury in the Gorge 2 years ago) could be a beneficial contact for Brooke. Maybe offer inspiration, answer questions and share with her any therapies available in Europe (that we may not have here)

I do not have contact info for Theo, I read about him on nwkite

Anyway, Brooke is in my prayers, all the best

Kiter Joe
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Old 01-28-2013, 04:18 PM
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Thanks Kiter Joe, I wish anyone working through an injury like this the very best they can come by. I have encountered a number of folks through the years who have been harmed in this way. I will look up info on Theo.

Thank you,
Rick
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Old 06-03-2013, 05:37 AM
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http://www.bullsforbrooke.com/

"Bulls for Brooke
Fishing Tournament Fundraiser for Brooke Thabit
Saturday June 29th, 2013
Pirate’s Cove Resort and Marina
4307 SE Bayview Street
Stuart, FL 34997
We welcome your support for the 1st Annual “Bulls for Brooke”
2013 Dolphin Fishing Tournament!

Your monetary donation or in-kind sponsorship will help pave the way for a successful fishing tournament and fundraiser for 18 year old Brooke Thabit, who recently suffered a severe spinal cord injury paralyzing her from the chest down."

More information and to register, sponsor or otherwise help out at:
http://www.bullsforbrooke.com/



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Old 06-13-2013, 05:37 AM
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Bono's BBQ Benefit for Brooke - this Monday night at Bono's in Stuart

2290 SE Federal Hwy, Stuart, FL.
(772) 283-0078




So, please come down for dinner and help Brooke!

More at:
https://www.facebook.com/events/522213391159455/

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