The recovery will be long.

But like always, Brenden Nichols' family has high hopes for him.

Since the car accident last October that left the 18-year-old athlete and college freshman with a broken neck and ribs, a collapsed lung and brain trauma, the young man is in a higher functioning level of coma, and is engaged in rehabilitation at St. Luke's inpatient rehab center in Spokane.

He will likely remain there through March, according to his father, Ken, to give his brain and body time to develop the skills to return home.

"Although Brenden is still considered in a low level of consciousness, we have seen enough signs to know that our son is fighting his way back to us and we anticipate each new day," stated Ken in an email.

But the Coeur d'Alene family has other pressures to consider besides their son's health, said friend Laura Little, as their health insurance will run out in roughly a month.

Much more inpatient and outpatient work stretches ahead for Brenden, she said, and the family must also retrofit their furniture to accommodate his injuries when he returns home.

Several close friends have arranged a cabaret fundraiser this month to help see the family through.

"This will be never ending, these bills for them," Little said. "The financial stress is really, really trying for them all."

The event, scheduled for 6:30 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 15, at Lake City Community Church at 6000 Ramsey Road, will include performances by several singers in the area, including Aaron Baldwin, Rebeka Monitz and Teri Grubb.

The evening will also include a silent auction and sale of desserts and non-alcoholic beverages.

Tickets are $15 for adults, and $10 for kids 12 and under. Tickets can be purchased at Idaho Lights at 6055 North Sunshine St. in Coeur d'Alene, or at the door the night of the event.

Folks can also donate to the Brenden's Angels account at any Wells Fargo.

Little said Nichols has been able to write a little to communicate, though he isn't totally alert yet.

His parents have been strong through it all, she added.

"He's fighting," Little said. "He wants people to know he's in there."