When tragedy strikes, communities can either bond together or break apart. The Sanford community chose to bond.

Early in the morning on April 22, a 17-year-old, three-season-athlete from Sanford was in a car accident that changed his life. And the community united to help Robbie Dudzisz and his family.

“I’ve met a lot of people here who are willing to go out of their way to help,” said Sanford Police Chief Tom Connolly. “When you’re in Sanford – in Maine, where people have lived for so long, there is such a strong sense of community. People understand how to come together and help,”

The accident landed Dudzisz in a barn on Twombley Road in Sanford, injuring his spinal chord and paralyzing him from the chest down.

“He will be in a wheelchair for the rest of his life,” said his mother, Robin Dudzisz. “But Robbie is determined, competitive and hardworking.” He will be at the Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital in Boston for another month.

“It’s so sad,” said Jeff Shain, owner of Shain’s of Maine Ice Cream, which held a fundraiser for Dudzisz. “I’ve been here for 45 years. This is a tough town with a diverse community. We want to embrace the success of people, the local people. Robbie is a typical teenager – he’s really a good kid.”

Robbie and his family will have to adjust, including renovating parts of their antique farmhouse. They will install a ramp at the front door. They will widen doorways for his wheelchair. They will redo the bathroom with a roll-in tile-floored shower so Robbie can use a shower seat instead of being sponge-bathed.

Friends and a local lumber company have offered to donate supplies and help with the construction.

“It is phenomenal what the community has done for us,” Robin said. “When something like this happens so close to home, and the community helps so much, it re-installs faith in humanity and human nature.”

Shain’s of Maine’s barbecue on May 21 raised $2,500.

“The place was unbelievably packed,” Shain said. “I told my team it would be great if we could raise a couple hundred dollars or so, but they raised $2,500. That is a huge testament to the community.”

There was a raffle, Shields Meat and Produce of Kennebunk gave a discount on burgers and hot dogs, The Thai House Restaurant in Sanford donated food, and local companies donated gift certificates and coupons.

Sanford High School live-streamed Robbie’s graduation so that he could be as close to present as possible.

Robbie’s older sister, Danielle, 30, is holding a silent auction in Newburyport, Mass., for him in August with music, food, and many donations, including limited edition Vera Wang sunglasses. Nancy Gendreau, who used to work with his mother at Associated Eye Care, has designed a raffle calendar to raise money.

For $10, those who purchase the calendars have 31 chances to win more than $1,700 in prizes including gift certificates to local food places. The calendars can be purchased in Sanford at Associated Eye Care, Mel’s Raspberry Patch, and the Back Street Grill. Lincoln Press Corp. donated copies of the calendars, so all the money raised goes to Robbie.

The two colleges that Dudzisz was considering in the Bangor area have checked in with the family, allowing his merit scholarships and admissions acceptance to be deferred for a year.

“This is absolutely tragic, terrible situation,” Connolly said. “I hope that he makes the best recovery he can and live life as best as he can. No matter what happened, nobody deserves these kind of consequences. I hope he can adapt and lead as full a life as possible.”

 

Staff Writer Ellie Cole can be contacted at 791-6359 or at:  ecole@pressherald.com

 

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