A Bullet Ended His Dancing Career And Left Him Paralyzed: Now He’s Trying To Raise Enough Money To Purchase A Lift Truck So He Can Stay Independent
Roswell, Georgia. 51-year-old Bran Pace used to be a professional dancer until a horrific attack ended his career and left him paralyzed from the waist down.
Two decades ago, Bran was in Baltimore dancing in a musical when he was shot by someone who also mugged him.
“I am a survivor of a random violent assault with a gun in Baltimore 20 years ago, which left me paralyzed below the waist, and ended my dreams of being a professional dancer,” Bran wrote on a GoFundMe page.
“When I was attacked, I was beginning to live the life of a dancer I had worked for since I was a child.”
“I was performing in a new musical called Jolsen, and one night after the show ended I was mugged and shot, ending my dance career forever.”
After the attack, Bran went to a rehabilitation center for the next 6 months so he could learn to try to be as independent as possible.
While there, Bran also learned to use just his hands to hoist himself out of his wheelchair and into a car that was modified to be driven with just his hands.
After he completed his rehab, Bran went back to school and worked to become a teacher, which is the job he has had ever since.
GoFundMe; pictured above is Bran
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“Since then, I have been as self-sufficient as anyone with a body like mine can be,” Bran said. “But 20 years of independent living have come at an additional cost to my body.”
“Middle age and the daily stress of repetitive motions—such as moving myself and my wheelchair into and out of my car—have left me with joints and shoulders that are sometimes simply unable to do what I need them to do.”
“I love my job, and I know how important human connection is for me. Connecting to other people is what I loved about dance and it is what I love about teaching.”
“I’m scared that if I don’t find a way to safely get myself to work, and doctors’ appointments and the grocery store, the life that I have worked so hard to rebuild will be reduced once again, and the relationships that I have built will slowly diminish.”
In order for Bran to maintain his independence, he now needs to come up with $60,000 to purchase a custom lift truck since he is no longer able to hoist himself into and out of his current car.
One person who donated to Bran’s GoFundMe page said that Bran has an incredible impact on the high school kids that he teaches, and he is so inspirational to them. He always encourages his kids to live their dreams and not give up.
If you would like to donate to Bran’s dream of being able to afford a lift truck so he can keep his independence, you can do that here.
More About:Human Interest
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