Brandon's Place take shape

BY PATTY MINTZ

NovaNewsNow.com

A community association has collected over $9,500 toward upgrades to a playground that’s being named in honour of Brandon Smith, a Coldbrook teenager who died in December.

“Donations are still trickling in and we’re pleased to continue accepting donations,” says Darlene Wright, secretary for the Pinewood and Royal Estates Community Association. “Our heartfelt thanks to all those who came through with a donation in memory of Brandon. We are so very pleased with the response to this worthwhile project.”

Brandon, who died in a car accident, and his brother, Jared, who was seriously injured in the crash, spent many hours at the playground as children. Their parents, Jane and Gary Smith, have given their blessing to the project.

“Our vision for Brandon's Place includes removal of some unsafe equipment, improvements to existing playground equipment, the addition of some new pieces of playground equipment, a memorial granite rock dedicating the park as Brandon's Place, an addition to the existing park sign and general upgrading of the park's appearance,” says Wright, who adds plans are progressing well under project coordinator Kevin Hayes, with the assistance of Rob Baker and other volunteers.

Jim Mailman, the association’s vice-president, said last week response from area residents and local businesses has been tremendous. “It has been really fantastic. When (the accident) happened a lot of the residents were thinking of something we could do, and half a dozen got together and put our thoughts together. We got a plan and it has worked out very well.”

The existing playground, which was never formally named, is receiving upgrades and will be known from now on as Brandon’s Place. An official ceremony to ‘christen’ the site will take place sometime in fall.

Wright says among the donations are several standouts, including $470 raised by sports teams at Central Kings Rural High School, and significant donations from the Kinsman Club of Kentville, Roscoe Construction, and the County Fair Mall Merchants’ Association.

The urge to help resulted in a bake sale by employees at TMC Law in Kentville and a contribution from as far away as Tofield, Alberta. Bruce Taylor of TaylorMade Performance in Coldbrook is organizing a disco dance Saturday, May 3 with all proceeds going directly to the project. The dance runs from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. at the Lions Hall in Coldbrook, with a $5 admission charge.

Recently, a cheque for the donations was turned over to staff at the Municipality of Kings County. “They will be issuing the official tax receipts to the donors,” says Wright.

Meanwhile, the playground committee is in the process of obtaining several quotes for new playground equipment, which Wright says is very expensive. The quotes are required to prepare a proposal for submission to the municipality.

“The proposal will outline our vision for Brandon’s Place, including what work we can do ourselves, which playground equipment we want to purchase and how the funds will be spent,” says Wright. “We’ll be preparing that as a subdivision along with the Coldbrook Community Association Recreation Committee.”

Wright says the “special project” proposal needs approval from Kings County Council, “and acts as our application for any grants that may be available.”

Besides new playground equipment, the community hopes to have a granite rock cut and inscribed.

Parents speak out

Brandon was 16 at the time of the accident on Highway 101, shortly before Christmas. Seventeen-year-old Jared, Brandon’s brother, returned home recently after months in hospital.

Losing a son and watching another fight so hard to survive and improve would take a dreadful toll on any parent. For Jane and Gary, the last five months have been unspeakably difficult.

Following are the results of an e-mail interview held shortly after Jared returned from hospital to the Smiths’ home in a quiet subdivision in Coldbrook.

Questions made directly to Jared were not allowed. As Gary and Jane explained, “at this time of healing, we are medically advised that questions by strangers are not to be directly or indirectly made of him.”

Q: Please describe your feelings about having Jared finally at home.

“Safe, warm and loved. This is what we would say while tucking (our sons) in at night. We wanted them to know that no matter what had happened during their day, home was where they could find peace.”

Q: What is Jared’s current condition? When will he return to normal activities such as school, etc.? What is he able to do at this point?

“He is continuing on yet another leg of his journey of recovery. Acquired Brain Injuries (ABI) are as unique and individual as the victim. There are never any guarantees or a set of instructions that once achieved will guarantee the return of the person as you knew them before the injury. Rest, time and patience are the key factors in ABI for recovery. We are told that two years from the time of the injury is when most of the recovery and healing take place. Again, every person’s prognosis is different, depending on their situation prior to and including the ABI, as well as the support afterwards.

“With the continued support that he receives from all staff and students, twinned with his perseverance, Jared has returned to the Cadet Program at (Kings-Edgehill School) as their core gets ready for their graduation in May 2008.”

Q: What are your thoughts on the playground tribute to your son?

“The progress is positive. As we speak, the clean-up and preparations for the park are ongoing and the physical work will commence once warmer weather resumes.”

Q: Jane, can you describe your emotional journey these past several months?

“Alone, scared, terrified, numb, protected, overwhelmed, thankful, supported, acknowledged, ignored, loved, grateful, blessed.”