Community Builds ADA Home for the Grubisa Family
Christopher Grubisa is a 32-year-old Journeyman with IBEW local 1579. He is a long-term employee of Marko Electric and his loving wife Amber is a stay at home mom to their three young children ages 8,5 and 3.
He is a loving son (and only child) of long-time Burke county residents Nick and Sandy Grubisa.
Monday, October 23, his life was normal other than pain in his left arm. However, when he walked into the ER on the 24th his life changed drastically as he was diagnosed with Meningococcal Nisseria Meningitis with septicemia. For quite a while, it was touch and go as to if Christopher would live. He did live, but has had both arms and legs amputated.
The Burke County Sheriff’s Office took the lead under Sheriff Alfonzo Williams and Chief Deputy Lewis Blanchard with Team Leaders Jay Hollingsworth and Brad Capitosti to build an ADA house for Christopher, his wife Amber and their three children. Thanks to the efforts of this wonderful community the Gubrisas celebrated Christmas in their new home. The fund-raising goal was reached in November and on Dec. 23, 2019, the Grubisa family moved into a home custom built for a quadro amputee. Burke County and its friends rallied behind this local family and achieved this goal. . The Neville family of Hephzibah graciously donated land in Northern Burke County near his parents for the new home.
The Full Story….
Monday Oct 23, life was normal. Christopher's only complaint being joint pain in his left arm to the point he could not use it properly. He and his family assumed it was a gym injury. By 10:30 pm, he had a fever, vomiting, diarrhea, and chills. He and his family again made another assumption, thinking he had the flu.
On Tuesday, Oct 24, around 8:30 am they decided to make a trip to the ER. Christopher "WALKED" in to the ER. After roughly 10 hours in the ER his organs began to shut down and he was on life support in ICU. Doctors informed the family that Christopher might not make it through the night. His official diagnosis was a form of meningitis: Meningococcal Neisseria with septicemia (infection of the blood). This is a rare but serious bacterial infection. It causes the membranes that cover the brain and spinal cord to become inflamed.
Christopher developed a rash known as purpura with this infection which caused second, third, and fourth degree burns to 80-90 percent of his body. Doctors immediately started him on vasopressors; medications that constrict blood vessels, in an attempt to keep his blood pressure up. These medications restricted the blood flow to his the extremities resulting in his amputations. The medications also caused damage to the ears and nose.
As February 27, 2018, Christopher has undergone 21 surgeries. He has had skin grafts done to all burn areas. He had his extremities amputated just above the wrist on the right arm, just below the elbow on the left arm, above the knee on the left leg, and below the knee on the right leg. Christopher has spent more than 120 days in the ICU with his family by his side daily. They have watched his body slowly come back to life and he continues making great improvements daily.
Christopher does PT and OT every day and is learning to use his body again. He is eating, talking, smiling, and occasionally giving his nurses a hard time. The family said, "It seemed as if we watched him sedated for so long we felt we might not ever get to experience his beautiful personality again but he is coming back." The first few weeks of him waking up and learning what all has happened were very emotional and mentally challenging but, as always, he has overcome and there have been more good days recently than bad. He only recently has been able to visit with his children for the first time and we truly feel that was the best medicine.
Thankfully, the family is not grieving the death of Christopher, but they are grieving the loss of who Christopher was. His life, our lives and all that know him will never be the same. Christopher still faces an uphill battle, but the odds he has defied already are immeasurable. His fight, his strength his determination, his endurance and his faith in GOD has allowed him to fight back and WIN!!
He has touched many lives through all of this. He is and always will be a testimony that others will draw from. He earned the rank of Eagle Scout earlier in his life and is excited to one day help his own son accomplish that as well. With the help of many, he will also one day walk his daughters down the aisle at their weddings.
The Grubisa Family thanks you for all of your support, donations, and prayers.