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Laughter might be good medicine for survivor of crash

A comedy show is planned tonight as a fundraiser for a young man who was injured in a plane crash that killed his father and a family friend.

CLEARWATER - In the days and weeks after the plane crash that killed her husband, Patti Kendell sat by her son's bedside at Tampa General Hospital, hoping he would live.

The lone survivor of an August accident that killed his father, Bruce, and a friend outside Clearwater Airpark, Brad Kendell lost both legs and suffered burns over 42 percent of his body. The crushing impact tore a section of his aorta, forcing doctors to keep him sedated for two months before performing the delicate surgery necessary to repair it.

Every day, Patti waited, willing her son to grow stronger.

As he did, she knew it would take more than expensive medical treatment to bring Brad back.

To kill long hours in the hospital, they watched TV. Almost always, it was something funny. One day, during a stream of old Saturday Night Live reruns, Patti looked over and caught Brad staring blankly into space, not smiling.

And she snapped.

"I'm gonna tell you something, honey," she told him. "Laughter heals. You gotta start laughing."

The advice appears to have stuck.

Nearly six months after the crash, Brad is home in Clearwater, building his strength and preparing for special prosthetics he hopes will allow him to golf again.

On Sunday, he celebrated his 23rd birthday, eating and drinking - and laughing - with dozens of friends at Splitsville, a hip new pool hall and bowling alley in Tampa. Early on, the party fell silent when Brad rolled his wheelchair up to the line for his first throw. He set the brake and hefted the ball out of his lap. Using his left hand for balance, at first, he leaned gingerly out over the right armrest, drew back and let go.

Then, he knocked down all but one pin.

Grinning, he spun around in his chair as his friends cheered.

Tonight, friends and family will gather again in Tampa, this time for a fundraiser to help pay off Brad's medical bills, which Patti expects to top $1-million. His uncle, Mark Cordes, will perform at the Tampa Improv Comedy Theater and Restaurant in Ybor City at 8 p.m. Tickets are $25 and will benefit the Bradley J. Kendell Family Trust.

Brad, who said he has been overwhelmed by love and support from family and friends, said he doesn't want anyone to feel sorry for him. Rather, he wants them to join him for a laugh and, preferably, a Miller Lite.

"Don't feel sad," he said. "Look at me and smile and say, "Hell, you can do it too."

- Jennifer Farrell can be reached at 445-4160 or farrell@sptimes.com

The fundraiser is planned for 8 tonight at the Tampa Improv Comedy Theater and Restaurant in Ybor City. Comedian Mark Cordes will perform. Tickets are $25. Call (813) 864-4000 or visit the Web site at tampaimprov.com for information and tickets. Proceeds will benefit the Bradley J. Kendell Family Trust.