Spindler keeps ‘big smile on his face’ through recovery
Owatonna’s Brayden Spindler poses with a fish he caught. Spindler has been a part of Owatonna High School’s fishing team in recent years. Photo from Facebook
An Aug. 14 dirtbiking accident caused multiple severe injuries to local Owatonna High School student-athlete Brayden Spindler, but according to his grandfather Marvin Spindler, the accident hasn’t taken away his positivity.
The Owatonna junior has been in the hospital recovering from injuries including seven broken vertebrae, a pinched spinal cord, a compound fracture of his arm and his kneecap was broken into pieces, according to an update post for Brayden’s Bash Facebook, but positive progress has been made since being admitted to a hospital Rochester.
“He had seven vertebrae fused in his neck that were broken. It messed with his spinal cord and for the first two weeks he couldn’t move his fingers or his toes. It didn’t look good at first, but he’s really come around in recent weeks… What’s really neat to me, is that every day he has a smile on his face and he’s trying harder and harder every day in therapy,” said Spindler on his grandson’s recovery.
Despite being kept in the hospital daily and only being allowed to leave for short four-hour stints, Spindler’s condition has improved enough for doctors to green-light him to take part in occupational therapy.
The same fingers that once struggled to operate after the accident are now hard at work building an item for his upcoming Brayden’s Bash silent auction on Oct. 11 at the Owatonna Eagles Club.
“In [occupational therapy] they’re letting him build something with wood, drills and screws. Supposedly, it’s something for the silent auction next Sunday, so that will be cool as hell,” said Marvin Spindler.
According to the family, there has been plenty of daily visitors who come by to see Brayden, including family, friends and other community members.
Those looking to aid Brayden in his recovery can do so by attending Brayden’s Bash at the Owatonna Eagles Club on Sunday, Oct. 11 from 11 a.m.-4 p.m.
According to the Brayden’s Bash Facebook page, the event will be selling lunch tickets for a taco bar and having a bake sale, along with a meat raffle, 50/50 drawing and a silent auction.
Tickets for the event will be $10 for those attending the event aged six or older.