For the past three decades Bob Rayman has been a volunteer firefighter in Bennington. Now, instead of fighting flames, he's battling rare and serious complications of West Nile Virus.
His daughter, Danielle Landholm, told 6 News: "My dad is the type of guy that has always put the well-being of others before himself."
Rayman is currently in the I-C-U at Nebraska Medicine. Landholm said doctors believe he contracted West Nile several weeks ago and now it's taken a devastating turn, causing Rayman's brain to swell.
"He lost his ability to communicate, swallow, eat, walk, sit, stand, any of those sort of motor skills," Landholm says.
Like her father, Landholm is a first responder, an Omaha firefighter paramedic. She calls her dad a "hero." She said he led the effort to build Bennington's new fire station.
Doctors aren't sure of Rayman's prognosis, but Landholm has faith he can fight his way to a full recovery. "He really will have a lot of therapy and will kind of have to be starting over."
Rayman's friends and family have organized a benefit to raise money to help cover his recovery costs. It's scheduled for Sunday November 19 from 12 noon until 6 P.M at the Bennington Fire Station, 10801 N. 156th Street.
The event includes food, live entertainment and silent auction. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for children 12-and-under.
Donations are also being collected at the Bank of Bennington. The Douglas County Health Department has confirmed 7 cases of West Nile so far in 2017. 4 of those cases involve rare brain complications like those faced by Rayman. The virus is spread by mosquitoes.
(Photo WOWT 6 News)