BY DARRELL HALEN

As Tim Morris recovers in a Salem rehabilitation hospital from the serious injuries he suffered in a car accident this summer, friends of the Windham man are rallying to help him pay his medical expenses.

A benefit has been planned to raise money for Morris, who did not have health insurance when his Jeep Grand Cherokee hit a curb and rolled over.

Morris, 26, took a turn too fast off a wet highway ramp around 1:30 a.m. on July 20. When the jeep rolled over, Morris, who was not wearing his seat belt, went through the moon roof.

Two friends riding in the car were hurt but not badly. They were treated and released from the hospital.

But Morris’ injuries were much more serious. According to his friend Chris Massie, Morris suffered a concussion, a bruised spine, two broken vertebrae, two broken bones in the hand, a broken collar bone, seven broken ribs and severely bruised lungs.

He was transferred from the Elliot Hospital in Manchester to Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, where he spent about four weeks. He’s been at Northeast Rehabilitation Hospital in Salem about a month.

Massie and Morris grew up in Windham, graduated from Salem High School in 1999 and went to Quinnipiac University in Connecticut.

“He’s a real people person type,” Massie said. “Even now he’s asking how I’m doing. The nurses – how’s their day? He’s a happy kid, extremely positive. He’ll take the shirt off his back for you.”

Morris received a master’s degree in physical education from the University of New Hampshire. He was working part time as a physical trainer at a gym in Tewksbury, Mass., while looking for a full-time teaching job.

Massie, who visits his friend every day, said his friend could be spending another six weeks in the rehabilitation hospital.

“It was such severe injuries,” Massie said. “He has a lot of strengthening he needs to do and a lot of adjustments he needs to make.”

Aron Cleary will perform a hypnotist show on Saturday, Sept. 29, at the Claddagh Pub and Restaurant, 399 Canal St., in Lawrence, Mass, to raise money for a fund that’s been established to help Morris.

Audience members of all ages are welcome. Doors open at 7 p.m., and the show begins at 8 p.m.

“Aron was very nice to volunteer his services,” Massie said.

Cleary, a 2001 Salem High School graduate, was certified in hypnotherapy from the Valley Hypnosis Center in Methuen, Mass.

Cleary, 24, became interested in hypnosis after watching a college psychology teacher, who is a hypnotherapist, hypnotize a student.

Cleary has performed two shows, and agreed to perform a benefit after Kristen Vadala, a friend of Morris, said she was looking for a fundraiser to support him.

“He’s friends with a lot of my friends so I thought it would be a nice thing to do,” Cleary said.

Cleary, who will ask volunteers from the audience to come on stage, said he can hypnotize a guy into thinking he’s an exotic dancer and elicit laughter from someone who thinks they are watching a funny movie.

Massie is hoping for a big turnout.

“It’s obviously important,” he said. “It would mean the world to Tim and his family. It’s a tough situation he’s in, that anyone could be in.”

Tickets cost $10 each and can be purchased at the door or by contacting Kristen Vadala at kristen.vadala@ebtc.com or by calling 458-5516.

People who cannot attend the show can still support the fund. Donations can be made to the Timothy Morris Medical Fund and be mailed to Citizens Bank, 115 Indian Rock Road, Windham, NH, 03087.

To learn more information about Morris and his situation, visit www.fortimmy.com.