Brandon Spight

Brandon Lee Spight, 17, was a senior at University of Detroit Jesuit High School & Academy. He was an accomplished student-athlete, artist, and community volunteer. As a member of the school varsity golf team, Brandon was known for his golf swing and his competitiveness. He was a standout academically and athletically, had a wide circle of friends and a magnetic personality. Brandon shared his talents by teaching the sport to younger kids through the Detroit Police Athletic League and tutoring children for his senior service to Christ the King Catholic School. Brandon was destined to become a golfer. As a baby and toddler, his dad, Virgil Spight, often took him to the driving range as he practiced golf swings. Brandon apparently watched attentively, because although right handed, he actually golfed left-handed, just like his dad, who is right handed but a left-handed golfer. In January 2007, Brandon was having headaches and vomiting episodes. Out internist sent him to a neurologist. From an MRI, they saw bleeding in his brain. We then went to see a neurosurgeon, who told us it was either a tumor, a cavernous angioma, or an arteriovenous malformation (AVM). The AVM is a congenital abnormality which involves the entanglement of blood vessels. The neurosurgeon did not believe it was an AVM at the time because Brandon was functioning relatively well. The fact that Brandon?s bleeding was deeply embedded in the rear right side of his brain presented other concerns. Even if surgery was performed?which could not occur until the bleeding stopped and the blood absorbed, Brandon?s prognosis was dismal. He would come of the surgery with a deficit of some kind? likely paralysis. In the surgeon?s office, Brandon said emphatically no to the surgery. We left the doctor?s office hopeful that it was only a cavernous angioma and that the blood would be absorbed into the body. Unfortunately, that was not the case. Brandon was admitted to the hospital on January 30th after suffering another bleed and exhibiting stroke like symptoms. While in the hospital, Brandon had multiple bleeds, at which time it was determined that his illness was likely an AVM. Brandon?s brain had become swollen to the point where there was no brain function. Brandon actually made the decision to donate his organs; however unbeknownst to him. It was approximately three years ago while at the dinner table. I expressed my desire to donate my organs upon my death. At that time my husband was totally against it, however Brandon agreed with me. As a result of our conversation that evening, Virgil and I were clear that Brandon would want us to donate his organs; even though the conversation was not directly pertaining to him. From a very early age, he always felt it was his duty to come to someone?s aid or assistance. Brandon was a giving person. This was his last gift. Constance Spight ? Brandon?s Mom.