By ERICA ESTEP
6 News Reporter
NEWPORT (WATE) - A Cocke County boy is healing a month after dogs mauled him outside his home. One dog tore off both Brandon Williams' ears, as well as inflicting other injuries.
Williams turned eleven just two weeks after the mauling. He's seen several doctors since then, and just learned they may be able to reconstruct his ears, but it will take a while.
Brandon talked about the attack Monday, saying he didn't know his ears were gone until his mother told him later at the hospital.
"I freaked," he said. "It still freaks me out a little, because it still feels like I've got my ears, but I don't."
Brandon is an inspiration, happy and outgoing. He's thankful for life, despite what he lost the day his neighbor's dogs attacked him.
He says he doesn't remember much, but once he gets started he can recall many details from the horrific attack.
"The dog got me on my rear end," said Brandon. "Then the black dog, whatever it was, got my arm and pulled me down. Then the pit (bull) went for my leg. Then after she done what she done to my leg, she went to my head and tore them (my ears) off." Pointing to his leg, he finished, "Then got me right there and right here."
His injuries are extensive as his mother, Christy Williams, explained. "It ripped the tendons out of his arms. It took both his ears off, and he's got a couple places on his legs."
Brandon says he's still in a lot of pain. "A pain every two hours or so, shoots through my arm and goes all through my body where the dog got me," he explained. "Like first it shoots through my arm and goes up my head and then shoots down through my leg."
Despite all he's been through, Brandon smiles as he talks. He says he has one goal on his mind right now. "Getting the use of my hand back and my ears back, and being the way I used to be."
He was taken to Shriners Hospital in Cincinnati on Friday. Surgeons discussed reconstructing his ears or using prosthetics, but he'll have to heal for one year first.
"It just hurts me every time I look at him. It just hurts me because he's got to go through this the rest of his life," said his father, Tony Williams.
But Brandon's parents say they don't mind waiting for reconstructive surgery. They're just thankful their little boy is alive with an amazing positive outlook.
Brandon seems to beam when his mom calls him a miracle child.
"Each day you walk up and he's smiling. That right there," his father said while looking at his son, "that's worth a million dollars."
Brandon has nerve damage which causes him a lot of pain, and keeps him from everyday tasks like tying his shoes.
However, he still has big dreams for a future in sports. When asked what he wants to be when he grows up, Brandon says, "A football player, basketball player, or a baseball player."
The doctors in Cincinnati told his parents they're most concerned about Brandon's arm, and helping him regain some use of it. They will see him again in December.
Brandon's medical care is at no charge to his family, thanks to volunteers with the Cocke County Shrine Club, and donations they raise through paper sales.
"Every time we take someone to the hospital like Brandon and we see their smile and the gleam in their eye, we get rewarded that way," said Vice President Jim Barker.
Barker says the Cocke County Shrine Club is still in need of donations to help Brandon and other kids at the Shiners Hospital in Cincinnati. Donations can be mailed to:
PO Box 1628
Newport, TN, 37821
Brandon Williams says he has one goal on his mind right now. "Getting the use of my hand back and my ears back, and being the way I used to be."
