Fundraiser to help ease Atwell's road to recovery

It has been three months since Victoria Atwell was seriously injured in a traffic accident on Highway 231 -- an accident that took the life of her best friend, Brenda Golden. After months of being in hospitals with traumatic brain injury, the young lady, now 18, is finally home -- but she has a long, difficult road ahead of her.

There will be a benefit for Victoria at 4 p.m. Saturday at Cascade School, where Victoria is a senior, including a concert, dinner and auction to raise funds for that battle back to health

The accident occurred in the late morning of Dec. 18 at the intersection of Highways 231 and 82. According to the state trooper who investigated the accident, Brenda was driving the van that was struck by an 18-wheeler. She died at the scene and Victoria was airlifted to Vanderbilt after initial treatment at Heritage Medical Center. She had a broken ankle, pelvis, hip, and hairline fractures all along her leg. All of her ribs were broken -- but it was the shearing in her brainstem that concerned her physicians, said Martin Rabbit, Victoria's brother's girlfriend, in an earlier interview.

A month after the accident, Victoria was moved to a rehabilitation center. Her mother, Kerry Kimmel, stayed with her every day while her father, stepfather and brother Kyle visited as often as possible. Now that Victoria is home, that is easier to do.

But the fight for health is far from over. She is in a wheelchair and faces a long recovery -- and her family faces huge medical bills and related expenses. Victoria's story -- and her family's devotion and dedication -- has prompted a strong response from the community.

"We had a brand new queen mattress set donated for the auction," said one of the event's organizers. "We've got two VIP tickets to Bonnaroo."

Club tickets for the Titans-Oakland game next season have also been donated, as well as a computer, an aquarium and many other items. Dinner will be barbecue dinner with cole slaw, potato salad and dessert, but there may be pizza as well.

The music will be provided by the very band Victoria performed with -- the Cascade High School Band. A jazz band, a steel drum band and several other local musicians will be playing during the dinner, providing the entertainment as well as the opportunity to help their classmate.

Advance tickets can be purchased at the Bell Buckle Café or Pet Planet (between the Fit Club and Bedford Gym). For more information contact Tina Longshore, 205-3717, or Becky McBee, 703-0609.

An account for Victoria has also been established at First Community Bank, in care of Dwayne Kimmel.