Not long ago, K.J. Reid, a popular Springfield High School science teacher, was teaching youngsters about medical procedures; today he is in Springfield Memorial Hospital missing his arms and legs.
"He teaches medical interventions – the cutting edge of technology when it comes to medicine. Unfortunately, it's what he's experiencing right now," said Amy Weller, who heads the school's science department.
Weller said the students and faculty have rallied around the teacher who was afflicted with an illness more than seven weeks ago.
"He started not feeling well on Monday, Feb. 13, when he was teaching school," said Tami Osmer, a family friend. "It just felt like he had some flu symptoms. He made it through the day. On Tuesday morning, he went to Prompt Care. They tested him for strep, influenza and COVID, and he was negative to all. They said, 'Go home and rest. You must just have a virus.' By that evening, he was incoherent, and his color was horrible.
"They took him to the emergency room and immediately upon arrival, he was fighting for his life. It was that quick. His organs were not functioning. He had to be put on life support. It was at that time that he was diagnosed with a strep infection."
Not enough blood was reaching the 39-year-old man's extremities, Osmer said. He was placed on numerous antibiotics.
"He turned a very dark purple color, which they say is typical for toxic shock syndrome from a strep infection. It was at that time that they became concerned about his limbs," she said.
As Reid's condition worsened, emails and texts flew between students and teachers, said Kai Brudnak, a former student.
"I had him as a teacher last year, the year before and the year before that. I received a text from (a school counselor) who knew I was close to him. My parents and students send me updates on how he is doing," Brudnak, a freshman at the University of Arkansas, said.
Osmer has established a GoFundMe page that provides updates on his medical condition and allows the public to make financial contributions to the family.
She told Illinois Times portions of each limb have been amputated during five different surgeries. So far, they have been able to preserve his elbows and knees, which may prove advantageous when fitting prosthetics.
"They are giving him 'Star Wars arms,'" Osmer said. The term derives from the fictional prosthetic given Luke Skywalker in The Empire Strikes Back.
Nerve tissue from the amputated limbs has also been preserved in a manner that it can be integrated into the new prosthetics, Osmer said.
K.J. and his wife, Kenna, have a nearly 15-month-old daughter, Marianna. They are selling their home because it is not accessible and, at the direction of his physicians, they have rehomed their pets out of concern that a scratch could create a new infection.
Brudnak said Reid spoke often to students about his family.
"I know that he was proud of them. I would hear about them all the time. And we found out immediately when he was expecting his child. So, that was just really nice to hear."
He added that Reid had a special bond with students in the advanced science classes.
"He's just a really smart guy who could make a conversation out of anything," Brudnak said. "We liked to talk to him about video games and the new ones that are coming out. He would also talk about his experiences and share his unique perspectives."
Ben Kramer, a post-secondary adviser at the school, said last year he asked graduating seniors what their favorite memories of high school were and one said, "Nerding out with Mr. Reid."
Students and faculty have hosted numerous fundraisers for the Reid family, ranging from popcorn sales to chili cookoffs. Students are able to wear pajama bottoms and teachers jeans on certain days if they contribute toward the Reid fund.
Science chair Weller said it is her hope that Reid will return to the classroom.
"One of the first things he said when he came around was, 'How are my students? What's going on with my classes?' And a few days later he said, 'I miss the kids. I want to get back to work.' His outlook is very positive. He has a very lofty goal of trying to get back to (Springfield High) at the beginning of the school year."
Scott Reeder, a staff writer for Illinois Times, can be reached at [email protected].
