Six summers ago, on a warm July day, the Brewer family of Fort Worth, Texas, traveled to Siesta Key for a brief beach vacation. They came to spend time together and escape the COVID-19 pandemic and the fear that gripped the nation.
was struck by lightning while vacationing on Siesta Key. (Jane Bartnett photo)
As they enjoyed their visit to Siesta Beach, the sky over the Gulf suddenly darkened. When the family prepared to leave the beach, a bolt of lightning struck 12-year-old Jacob Brewer. His sister, Ashley, and parents, Jeremiah and Barbara, were also knocked to the sand by the force of the lightning that passed through Jacob. Barbara awoke and began screaming for help. Jacob was foaming at the mouth.
A pre-med student saw what had happened and performed CPR. Although he was unable to find a pulse, he continued. Responding to a 911 call, Sarasota County Sheriff’s Deputy Mark Eve began chest compressions with Jeremiah Brewer’s assistance.
“Although they were in grave danger themselves, these heroes saved Jacob’s life,” Barbara said, recalling that day on the beach.
Jacob was taken by ambulance to Sarasota Memorial Hospital and then to Tampa General Hospital, where his long journey to recovery began.
This spring, Jacob, Barbara and Jeremiah Brewer returned to Siesta Key and Siesta Beach to heal, remember and carry their message about the dangers of lightning. It was a pilgrimage for the family.
Their visit came only days after they attended the world premiere of the full-length documentary film “Lightning Flowers,” which debuted at the 21st annual Sunscreen Film Festival in St. Petersburg. The film was nominated for Best Documentary.
Directed by English filmmaker Jacob Harmer, the documentary tells Jacob’s story and his determination to one day walk again. The film also chronicles the story of another young lightning survivor, Brayden Moeller of Inverness. Moeller was also 12 years old when he was struck while watching a soccer match with his father at The Villages in central Florida.
Moeller recovered from his injuries and, like Jacob, is now a college student.
The film captures the compelling stories of two brave families and the determination, strength and grit these young men possess. Harmer describes his documentary as a “coming-of-age film.” Partially filmed on Siesta Key, it opens with Jeremiah and Barbara Brewer gazing out over the Gulf and grappling with the tragic incident that forever changed their son’s life, as well as their own.
Returning to Siesta Key was an especially emotional experience for the couple. After arriving at Siesta Beach, Jeremiah pushed his son in his wheelchair while Barbara walked alongside. Once they arrived beneath the shaded awning of the Siesta Beach main pavilion, all three stopped to gaze out over the busy beach. The water was calm and the afternoon sky was bright blue.
It was hard to believe, Barbara explained, that six years earlier, a sudden summer lightning storm on that shoreline had changed their lives forever.
Jacob said he has no memory of the lightning strike. He remembers a pleasant day at the beach with his family and then becoming aware that he was lying in a hospital bed in Tampa.
“We didn’t think you were going to make it,” his mother said.
Jacob smiled and nodded. He has heard her say those words many times during the past six years.
Sitting at his son’s side, Jeremiah offered some good news and reported that Jacob has regained some feeling in one leg.
“The doctors are hopeful that one day he will walk again.”
Looking at his father, Jacob responded with determination.
“I will walk again.”
Barbara smiled.
“Yes, we think you will.”
Looking out at the tranquil setting, she said she will never be able to thank “those heroes on the beach that day” enough for saving her son’s life. She calls it a miracle.
The family has made it their mission to become ambassadors for lightning awareness. Last month, Jacob and Barbara appeared on KDFW-TV’s “The Post” in Fort Worth to discuss the debut of “Lightning Flowers” and its film festival premiere.
The two have clearly become comfortable sharing their story publicly.
Jacob told host Lauren Przybyl that when the project began, he was hesitant.
“It was nice to see it from my parents’ point of view,” he said. “I’m glad I did it. The director did a great job. I have to say, it’s a little awkward to see yourself saying all this personal stuff on screen, but it came together very nicely.”
Barbara said that when the project began, Jacob was “in a dark spot,” but she believed her son could become an inspiration to others.
“For him to go to that documentary and have people come up to him, it changed him and us as well,” she said.
This fall, Jacob will begin his second year at Louisiana State University. A mathematics major, he takes his classes online and continues his rigorous physical therapy.
The official trailer for “Lightning Flowers” is available on Vimeo at vimeo.com/1080196471.