The inaugural Bulls For Brooke fishing tournament took place on Saturday, June 29 and was a fundraiser to benefit Brooke Thabit, an 18 year old teenager who suffered a spinal cord injury last year leaving her paralyzed from the arms down.
Sixteen boats participated in the tournament and although no prize winning fish were weighed in, anglers, sponsors, volunteers and members of the community came out to support Bulls For Brooke.
On Labor Day weekend last year, Brooke a senior in high school, was hanging out with friends on a Treasure Coast dock, just kidding around. Being an avid water-person 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.
Brooke underwent emergency surgery and spent several weeks in trauma ICU until she was stable enough to continue rehabilitation in Atlanta at the Shepherd Center. During the six months of traditional rehabilitation, Brooke’s progress was slow. Still, she is an upbeat person by nature, is well liked in the community and has received support from her many friends.
Recovering from such injuries is never an easy, short-term thing. It takes strong commitment, patience and money to fund rehabilitation over an extended period of time. Now Brooke is home and continuing with intense rehabilitation five days a week at a progressive local facility. She walks with robotic legs, uses electric stimulation to ride a bike, works on balance, and lifting weights to increase strength and independence.
Recently, hyperbaric oxygen treatments were added to reduce the swelling in Brooke’s spinal cord. Insurance does not cover any of these treatments, which total $300 a day. Brooke has not only focused on her physical recovery, but also worked to complete high school and graduate with her class and plans to attend college.
“The event was a huge success and we would like to thank all of our sponsors, anglers, friends, volunteers and the fishing community for their support in providing a fun filled venue and all around good time,” said Brooke’s father Bryan Thabit. “We would also like to thank Pirate’s Cove Resort and Marina for holding the event.”
The tournament concluded with a barbecue, silent auction, raffle and a live performance by Ellameno Beat reggae band.
The second annual Bulls For Brooke Tournament is already being organized. The date, as well as this year’s event information, will be released on the Bulls For Brook website.
For more information or to donate to Brooke’s medical bills, please contact Bryan Thabit at (561) 302-8989.
