NORTH WEBSTER - Defying all odds, David Jessie is back to work as a special education teacher with the Whitko Community School Corp. less than six months after being "skinned like a deer."

Those are the words Jessie uses to describe what doctors did to save his life after he was infected with a rare form of gangrene. The flesh-eating infection presented itself a day after Jessie underwent a common orthoscopic knee surgery Sept. 12.

Jessie's wife, Charlotte, took him to Goshen General Hospital, but his leg - from his toes to halfway up his back - had already turned black because of the infection. He was transferred to a Fort Wayne hospital, where doctors began removing his skin to stop the spread of the infection. Mrs. Jessie was at first told her husband would either lose his leg or die. He did neither, but he and his family have suffered emotionally and financially.

Jessie said his son, Ethan, 7, now has a fear of getting old and dying. Ethan's twin sister, Katelynn, seems to be coping a little better.

Doctors didn't expect Jessie to return to work as quickly as he did, especially since the eight other patients they dealt with didn't fare as well - two had amputations and the others died.

However, Jessie said he is looking to the future and trying to "live my life like I normally did before." He admits that it's scary, though, because he worries about falling and cutting himself on one of his many skin grafts.

The Jessie family, who live between North Webster and Pierceton, are not alone in their healing process.

During the winter, members of the Whitko staff came to the Jessies' home and cut firewood and helped take care of the family.

"It's been odd," Jessie said. "After being on the receiving end, you learn that it's easier to give than to receive ... you get so involved in what you're doing that life passes you by. Then when you get sick, you realize there are a lot of good people out there."

Some of those good people are members of various organizations that have teamed up to offer a benefit dinner Saturday to help defray the mounting medical costs the family has incurred.

The Lakeland Kiwanis, North Webster Lions and Lioness clubs, North Webster Post 253 American Legion and Auxiliary, Sons of the American Legion, Pierceton PTA, North Webster United Methodist Church and North Webster PTFO are sponsoring the chicken and chili dinner.

Jessie said he had no idea the benefit was being planned until someone mentioned it to his wife at work (she's a teacher at North Webster Elementary), but he's thankful "to everybody for everything they've done."

The Jessie family plans to enjoy the benefit dinner, which takes place from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday. Broasted chicken, baked beans, applesauce, rolls and butter, and drinks will be served at North Webster Elementary and American Legion Post 253. A chili dinner will also be available at the school. The cost for the chicken dinner is $5 in advance from members of any of the participating organizations and $6 at the door. The chili dinner costs $3 in advance or $4 at the door.

A bake sale and quilt raffle are also part of the benefit. [[In-content Ad]]