Frazeeforum.com - A benefit is being planned for Rusty Ouart, a Frazee native and veteran of the Iraq War. A series of events have been planned for Fargo venues Saturday, Feb. 20.
Ouart has been undergoing hyperbaric treatment in New Orleans in recent months as he recuperates from a head injury.
He incurred a traumatic brain Injury (TBI) after being subjected to several blasts overseas in 2008 and is halfway through eight weeks of treatment, known as a "brain freeze" program.
TBI is similar to "shaken baby syndrome," and results in many neurological issues.
The soldier has suffered terrible migraines, damage to his esophagus from vomiting, vertigo and experienced a period of renal failure.
Ouart has been the patient of Dr. Paul Harch, who uses Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) treatment for his patients. It is a basis of healing for numerous types of brain injuries, along with autism, diabetes, stroke, carbon monoxide poisoning and other afflictions.
It was not until Dr. Harch did a SPECT (Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography) scan last August that the devastating brain damage was revealed.
Organizers stage activities
It is hoped that Ouart will be able to return home from Louisiana for next week's events, said Melissa Seitz, one of the Fargo organizers.
"Rusty has his good days and bad days, but we hope he can fly home," she emphasized.
She noted the series of events is actually part of the overall benefit being staged to help Ouart and his family cope with expenses. For example, March 20, a raffle winner will become the owner of a 1988 Corvette.
Seitz added: "For more information, people can contact me at 701-238-9485, or call Darla Willoughby at 701-234-0165."
There is an extensive slate of events set, with the first - a presentation at FHS - to be held in Frazee, then the remainder will follow in Fargo.
Co-organizer Darla Willoughby, a sister of Rusty's wife Marilyn, said, "We have at least 400 items for the auction - both live and silent. It is coming together real well."
She added, "We got the Corvette ... beautiful, bright red ... and that will be raffled March 20."
A special guest - whose appearance will precede the actual lineup of benefit events - will be former New York Fire Chief Dan Daly, a motivational speaker. He is slated to address Frazee High School students, 2 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 18 (a change from the original Feb. 19 date).
Friendship formed
Ouart and Chief Daly got to be friends when they met at a Veterans Day event in New York City.
The 24-year veteran of the New York City department spends considerable time making motivational speeches, visiting wounded veterans and doing volunteer work.
He has addressed numerous civic organizations, government agencies, students, foreign leaders, even traveling to visit prisoners. His topics focus on the value of individual initiative, teamwork, compassion and volunteerism.
Daly has a powerful presentation for teenagers entitled "The Five Keys to Happiness." A lifetime of stories and lessons learned are brought to an audience as he addresses violence, bullying, drug abuse, self-development and inner peace.
His presentation is offered free of charge to schools and youth organizations across America. Each program is individually tailored to the needs of the particular group or organization.
Author went through similar treatment
Also involved in the program of benefit-related events will be Dan Greathouse, author of "Doc, I Want My Brain Back." He also suffered a brain injury when scuba diving.
The result was a case of the bends, which can be dealt with in a hyperbaric chamber through the program of treatment.
Greathouse, who lives in New Mexico, went through the HBOT treatment 18 years ago.
After first being misdiagnosed, Greathouse got his problems resolved within a few months by benefiting from the HBOT treatment, as well.
First, however, the errors in assessing the complex problem landed him in a psych ward, then behind bars because he was thought to be a danger to himself.
Greathouse and the fire chief will both be speakers during the weekend. (The list of activities is below.)
Saturday, Feb. 20, events in Fargo will begin with a 5K run departing from Hope Lutheran Church South Campus, 3636 25th St. S. Registration is at 8 a.m. and the race will begin at 9 a.m. That is just the first of many highlights.
At 3 p.m., Daly will speak at the church, followed by a presentation by Greathouse at 5 p.m. During the scheduled events at the church, a pork chop dinner will be served from 4-6:30 p.m.
The day's festivities will conclude with a live and silent auction at the Doublewood Inn in Fargo; hours will be 7 p.m. until 1 a.m.
Winner will drive classic Corvette
As noted, the Corvette will be part of an additional schedule one month later, Saturday, March 20.
Raffle tickets for the 1988 Corvette - "Vette for a Vet" - are available at the West Fargo VFW Post 7564, 308 Sheyenne St., or by calling Seitz (701-238-9485) or Willoughby (701-234-0165). Tickets are $10 each.
Raffle tickets are also available at the Frazee VFW Post 7702 and at the Frazee municipal liquor store. Also on tap March 20 at the West Fargo VFW will be a chili feed, 5:30 to 7 p.m., a dance featuring the "Front Fenders," 8:30 p.m. to 1 a.m., with the raffle drawing for the classic Corvette at 10:30 p.m.
Cash or check donations can also be made to the Rusty Ouart Brain Freeze Benefit fund at the State Bank of Fargo, 3100 13th Avenue S., P.O. Box 10877, Fargo, ND 58106. Online donations can also be made at www.dakmed.org/lendahand. Up to $5,000 in donations will be matched by the Dakota Foundation.
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