Central Bucks Community Rallies Support For Teacher With ALS

BUCKINGHAM TOWNSHIP, PA — The Central Bucks community came together last week to celebrate the birthday of an elementary school counselor who was recently diagnosed with ALS.

Bryan Rosica, a teacher at Buckingham Elementary School, was diagnosed with the neurodegenerative disease, for which there is no known cure, on Dec. 15. People diagnosed with the disease typically have about two to five years to live, though some live as long as 10 years, according to the ALS Association.

On his 49th birthday last Wednesday, Rosica awoke at sunrise to a parade of friends and neighbors driving by his home on Village Lane, including Cpl. Steve Thomas from the Buckingham Township Police Department and members of the Midway Fire Department. The parade was a coordinated effort of his neighbors and co-workers at Buckingham Elementary School, who describe the longtime school counselor as generous, caring and selfless.

"He's been such an important part of the heart of the school and the community," said Suzanne Dailey, an instructional coach at Central Bucks elementary schools who has worked with Rosica for the past 15 years.

Longtime friends Chuck Lang first met Rosica about fifteen years ago, when they both applied for the same head coaching job for the youth soccer team. Even though Rosica got the position, he offered Lang a role as an assistant.

"Bryan is full of life," Lang said. "He is is always positive, incredibly energetic, a very thoughtful individual. He just has an effervescent personality, the kind of individual who will do anything for anybody."

Rosica spent his first 12 years as a teacher at Buckingham before transitioning into the role of guidance counselor, which he has held for 13 years. When he was diagnosed with ALS on Dec. 15, he was told he would have about two to five years to live.

While living with ALS has been challenging for his family, he said it has brought him a newfound appreciation for his friends and loved ones.

"It changes your perspective. You see life through a different lens," Rosica said. "It's a beautiful lens, to be honest. It's an unfortunate disease but it really gets you to stop and smell the roses. You do see life differently and for the better I think."

Staff members and students at several Central Bucks elementary schools wore red for "Rosica Day" on Feb. 10.

More than $57,344 has been donated to the Bryan Rosica Family Irrevocable Trust, which will help cover the cost of home modifications, assistive technology, ambulatory devices and home nursing care.

More information about fundraising efforts for the Rosica family can be found at https://www.teamrosica.com/ and on Facebook.

Happy Birthday Bryan! @CB_Buckingham #TeamRosica #GoGaymanMustangs pic.twitter.com/wVAnIqGHBj
— George G. Gayman Elementary (@CBGaymanES) February 10, 2021

Titus staff members wore red today for Wear Red for Rosica Day! #ALSAwareness #TeamRosica pic.twitter.com/RL1Ev5aGh6
— CBSD Titus Elementary School (@TitusElemSch) February 10, 2021

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