By William Smith
Like any active teenager, 14-year-old Spencer Weir has a lot of excess energy. That energy flows into a pair of productive hands and equally nimble feet.
Before the June 9 accident on Summer Street that hospitalized him, Spencer spent most weekends at Kenny’s Roller Ranch in Burlington. He had started working at Fareway grocery store in Burlington with his brother, Tommy Weir, to buy streamlined new wheels for his roller skates.
“He had to get these $150 wheels,” said his grandmother Julie Reusch, grinning at the necessary excess of youth.
Spencer was riding his bicycle when he was hit by a car, and would likely be dead if he hadn’t been so close to the Summer Street Fire Station. Reusch credits the quick work of first responders for saving his life.
“He came out of ICU today. That’s a good thing,” she said. “He’s kind of in a coma, but he does open his eyes. He doesn’t follow commands, but he does look at the TV when it’s on.”
For days, Spencer fought to survive — first to get off the ventilator and then to get out of the ICU. Now his family is waiting for him to wake up. Only then will they know the extent of the damage to his brain.
Meanwhile, the greater Burlington community has offered endless prayers and thousands of dollars toward his recovery. Hundreds gathered at Kenny’s Roller Ranch Sunday evening, raising more than $6,000 through admission and silent auction bids.
The venue was packed to the point of bursting, leaving little room to walk, while the rink itself was just as busy.
“I can’t wait until Spencer wakes up so I can share all of this with him. He won’t believe it. I’m going to make a scrapbook for him,” Reusch said Sunday as skaters glided around her.
A recently retired nurse, Reusch guided two daughters into the nursing field, including Carrie Reusch, Spencer’s mother.
Reusch discussed Spencer’s injuries with painstaking detail, her nursing experience on full display. Spencer’s skull was fractured when he hit the vehicle, forcing doctors to put a bolt in his head to relieve the pressure. Two ongoing brain bleeds are Reusch’s biggest concern.
The rest of the injuries will require years of physical recovery. That includes several cracked vertebrae, a broken jaw, four missing front teeth, multiple mouth lacerations, a broken nose, a broken shoulder blade, broken wrist, broken right kneecap, and a broken right foot.
A muscle on his left leg was torn in half, which had to be surgically repaired at his bedside because putting him in an operating room was too risky.
Spencer’s a charmer, a dirtbike mechanic who loves to ride and an old soul enamored with classic rock.
“People just love him. He’s a good kid. His brother is more of a church boy. Spencer is more of the rebel,” Reusch said.
Spencer's jovial nature and a quick wit make the girls at school laugh. He makes his grandma laugh. Before the accident, he was working toward the Eagle Scout distinction and had helped his grandmother build a fire pit.
“He’s so witty,” Reusch said.
Spencer is also the best friend of his younger autistic sister. She knows Spencer can’t come home yet, even if she doesn’t understand why.
After the skate benefit, Tommy Weir led a candlelight vigil with his church worship band at the Crapo Park bandshell, praying to God for his brother’s recovery as he sang.
Burlington is praying with him.
Photograph of Spencer Weir provided by his family.