Tessie Martin did something for only the second time since her husband, Brad, was injured in a Lakeshore Drive motorcycle accident in September: she left his bedside at the hospital in Sudbury.
The highlight of the night, according to family friend Robyn Johnson, was Tessie taking the microphone on the stage and giving heartfelt thanks to the crowd assembled for taking the time to attend, and for the continuous support that her family has received.
The emotional moment revealed all the stress that can be placed on a spouse and family of the victim, as well, but with tears in her eyes at times as she spoke, Tessie showed the same resolve that many have seen in her husband.
She felt it was important to come home and thank the numerous supporters of her family in person, and Saturday night's Sounds of Support show at The Fraser was the perfect opportunity.
The benefit was a no-cover affair, with donations accepted at the door to help ease the financial burden on the Martin family while Brad continues his remarkable recovery. Hundreds attended, all with the goal of hearing some great live music, and helping out a well-like local businessman and his family through a trying time.
Throughout the night, guests were entertained by several different acts, including Jonathon Collins and Chris Vega, Emie Lexis, 3rd Wheel, GROOOVE, and GRANITE.
Martin has been hospitalized in Sudbury since the night of the accident on September 14. While the early prognosis was bleak, and family was told by doctors to prepare for the worst, Martin pulled through and has made progress in his recovery that has amazed even medical professionals.
The community has rallied around the Martin family, while several charitable endeavours by Martin supporters and his Allmakes Auto Service Plus business, have paid forward the support to other members of the community.
But, the family has expressed that only reporting the good news places extra pressure on Brad to try to heal at an unrealistic pace. There have been hard days, and there will be more on the road to recovery. Tessie Martin and friend Ty Hewitt, via the Facebook page the family has been using for health updates, have posted that Martin has suffered from confusion, and "at times becomes very aggravated."
Most recently, the skin graft on Martin's damaged foot has been healing and the next step will be to remove the dressing, possibly in the next week. The doctors have also ordered an 8-10 week recovery for his surgically-repaired femur. Martin is to stay off the leg for that time period, and then begin physiotherapy.
It is not hard to understand the emotion shown by Tessie at the benefit Saturday. This health crisis, now entering its third month, has most assuredly drained her at times.
