Dinner will benefit Indiana native who lost legs to bacteria

VELPEN, Ind. (AP) - The family of an Indiana native who lost both his legs to flesh-eating bacteria is hosting a hometown benefit to raise money for his physical needs.

Doctors aren't sure how 44-year-old Brian Arensman contracted the rare bacteria, called necrotizing fasciitis, which took his legs last year.

Arensman grew up in the southern Indiana city of Jasper, but now lives in Glenshaw, Pennsylvania, with his wife, Shanon, and their 8-year-old daughter, Alysa.

The (Jasper) Herald reports that Arensman's family will host a benefit dinner, silent auction and bake sale Saturday at Jasper's Moose Lodge #1175 to raise money for equipment he now needs, including a power wheelchair.

Barb Fischer says her son has been depressed, and she hopes the hometown benefit shows him "that the people in Indiana care about him."

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Information from: The Herald, http://www.dcherald.com