Russell Martin is doing what he can to take care of his younger brother.
Brad Martin, only 18 months younger than Russell, is recovering from a serious motorcycle Lakeshore Drive accident that sent him to hospital after a van turned in front of him and demolished his motorcycle and left Brad on life support last Wednesday.
See that story here: https://www.baytoday.ca/local-news/charges-laid-in-wednesdays-motorcycle-accident-415902
However, the hope of a recovery is still very much on the minds of the Martin family. Russell says Brad has been taken out of a medically induced coma which may be a sign of improvement.
“They slowly let him out of it (the coma) to see if there will be anything happening with the brain so right now they have got the medication out of him, they’ve got the life support but they are cutting the air down a bit so he has to work to take a breath so the odd time the light turns yellow means he’s taking a breath but the machine is there if he can’t do it,” Russell explained.
A special brotherly moment that only brothers would understand has given Russell and the Martin family more of a feeling of optimism.
Russell says Brad acknowledged his presence in a very emotional way while at his bedside in the hospital earlier this week.
“He held my fingers, I was massaging his hands because they were swollen with all the liquid in there. I was talking to him and his right side eye is swollen really good but he opened it up a bit and closed it and then he hooked his two fingers on my hand and I pulled and I started talking to him asking how he’s doing and then he opened his eye, and he rolled his eye to the left side to look at me and the blinked once and he still had his eye over and then tears started coming out of both his freaking eyes,” said Russell about his younger brother.
While the Martin’s wish the best for their brother, they are also feeling the tremendous support from family and friends. A GoFundMe account has been set up in Brad’s name and so far more than $28,000 has been raised to help pay for the bills what may be a long recovery.
“Between all our friends on each side we are getting envelopes dropped off with thank you’s and everything and it’s nice to see you know,” admitted Russell about the fundraising dollars.
The Martin brothers, who both operate downtown garages, have been well known for their generous hearts. Now Brad is seeing a return.
“We don’t do things for people to get attention, but it’s good to see people notice,” said Russell.
“He’s a good kid, he doesn’t deserve what happened, he’s got his family, he’s got his kids.”
Anyone interested in contributing to the GoFundMe account can go to https://www.gofundme.com/2p45c2k
A handful of local musicians including 3rd Wheel will be trying to raise money for the Martin family tonight at the Fox & Fiddle in North Bay.
