WAOW - Newsline 9, Wausau News, Weather, SportsUPDATE: Mosinee principal returns home

UPDATE: Mosinee principal returns home

by Colby Robertson

MOSINEE (WAOW) -- Mosinee Principal Jim DeBroux is home after a terrible fall last summer left him with a serious spinal cord injury.

You'll remember in July DeBroux was painting his cabin in Lincoln County when he fell 13-feet off a ladder.

He's now recovering from that injury which left him with paralysis from the chest down. For several months, DeBroux was treated in Milwaukee and since December he's been rehabbing at Aspirus.

Finally last Thursday he and his family moved into a new condo in Mosinee.

"I AM FINALLY HOME - JIM." Words from Mosinee Principal Jim DeBroux written on his caringbridge website. Capital letters and bold writing can't even express how happy he is to be home after spending the past seven months in a hospital.

Acting Associate Principal Dennis Kaczor says, "It is pretty significant because his injury took place last July and for him to finally make it home, finally be with loved ones, to finally be in a non hospital setting is pretty special."

Friends and Family, staff and students all following his progress on this website.

Kaczor says, "He has regained some movement and some feeling in his chest. There's hope because he's able to move his arm and that was update on the caringbridge website as well."

The website provides weekly updates on his surgeries, rehab and now his return home. Home just in time as the Mosinee community comes together to hold a number of fundraisers in his honor. A benefit concert at the end of this month is expected to raise at least $4,000 for the Jim DeBroux Fund. Then another benefit set up for May 15th. Mosinee teacher and main organizer Nicole Schwartz says the planning is well underway.

Schwartz says, "The benefit now is looking at getting the community and some of the people from Wausau because Mr. DeBroux was very involved with Wausau Newman getting Wausau people involved to raise additional funds."

The Mosinee community and central Wisconsin truly coming together to support a man that has had a big impact on these students and this community.

So far the DeBroux Fund has raised more than $10,000. Elementary students are doing their part selling a cookbook "Reading, Writing and Recipes." Middle School students have organized "Jeans For Jim."

The May 15th Fundraiser is in the works. Organizers have no idea what to expect as far as numbers, but it will be at the Mosinee Rec Center from 3 p.m - 8 p.m. They'll have food, entertainment, silent auction, door prizes. For more information call Nicole Schwartz at 693-2550 Ext. 3404 or nschwartz@mosineeschools.org.

Click here for a link to Jim DeBroux's caringbridge website