The St. Louis community is bolstering efforts to aid the recovery of Ferguson Police Officer Travis "TJ" Brown, who suffered a grave brain injury during protests this past August, according to KSDK. Today, local establishments are participating in "Dine Out For TJ", where a portion of the day's proceeds will be donated to support Officer Brown's long-term recovery.
In the wake of the collision of past and present, Brown, who joined Ferguson's force just this year after serving in the St. Louis County Police Department, has been fighting through the aftermath of a protest that marked the tenth anniversary of Michael Brown's death, protests that once again echoed the unresolved tensions and the continuing discourse around police and community relations in Ferguson, as detailed by Spectrum Local News. Despite the severity of his brain injury Brown's family holds onto hope citing his responsive moments, and small victories, Christina Bailey, Brown's sister, spoke of Brown's emotional responsiveness, notably when he "cried when he saw his young daughters" demonstrating a tactile cognizance when squeezing hands, KSDK reported.
The recovery has involved important medical procedures and a gradual reduction in sedation, with a recent announcement on Brown's GoFundMe page detailing the success of a vital procedure in early October. With over 15 restaurants like Café Telegraph, Busloop Burger, and Sybergs committed to the fundraising cause, it presents an opportunity for the community to pitch in. More details and a list of participating restaurants were shared with the public through social media pages (@dineoutfortj) on both Facebook and Instagram, as Fox 2 Now indicated.
Linda Graham of Syberg's encapsulated the communal spirit by stating "He's still in the fight. ... He's still fighting. It's something to fight for," a sentiment capturing the camaraderie and the perseverance embraced by these local businesses and the St. Louis County Police Department through their partnership for this cause. Their contribution not only reflects solidarity but a tangible commitment to aid an officer, a father, and a son on his journey to recovery, as revealed in a statement obtained by KSDK.
