Busick home, fundraisers planned

by Chris Peterson Hungry Horse News
| November 16, 2011 6:45 AM

At one point, doctors were sure Daniel Busick was going to die. The Columbia Falls man had no brain activity after a fall that split his skull open. But today, Busick is at home, walking, talking and visiting with friends. It's a truly happy Thanksgiving.

Busick, 18, was en route to a church conference in Salt Lake City with his parents on Sept. 30 when he was injured. They had stopped along the dark highway between Idaho Falls and DuBois so Busick could go to the bathroom. Busick stepped over the edge of the roadway and fell into a 15-foot-deep culvert and struck his head.

He was airlifted to Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center, where doctors put him into a medically induced coma. After more than a month of treatment, Busick returned home Nov. 5.

A member of the Columbia Falls Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, all eyes turned when Busick walked into the sanctuary Nov. 6 with his parents, Becky and Matt Busick.

Busick said last week he has retained most of his long-term memory, but he still has some difficulty with short-term memory. Some physical duties, like getting dressed and taking a shower, are still a chore and he tires easily. But to look at him, one wouldn't know he suffered a severe head injury.

Busick graduated from Columbia Falls High School earlier this year and was a member of the school football team.

Two fundraisers are planned to help defray some of the expenses the family incurred.

A chili feed will take place at the Columbia Falls High School on Thursday, Dec. 1, at 5 p.m. with a baked goods sale. Cost is $5 per person or $15 for a family.

A benefit auction and bake sale will take place at Gardner's Auction Center in Kalispell on Thursday, Dec. 8, at 6 p.m. To donate to the auction, items can be dropped off at Gardner's on Tuesday through Friday from 9 to 5 p.m.

Fundraising raffle tickets are also available at the high school, junior high, All About Memories and T.J. Wendt Insurance in Evergreen. And an account in Busick's name has been set up at Whitefish Credit Union.