Keith's Progress
Keith Coffey….First Visit Home
October 1, 2009
 The air in Wrightwood had a little bit of a cool bite in the slight breeze that played through the pines when the van pulled into the quiet residential street and parked. The specialists from Casa Colina had arrived with Keith Coffey for his first visit home since his life changing motorcycle accident August 28th that left him paralyzed from the chest down. Keith and his team, Cathelyn Timple (Physical Therapy Clinical Director) and Claire Malawy (Occupational Training Specialist) were here to assess his home and what might be needed to help with the transition back to his own independent living. With the exception of an IV tube in his hand and pressure hose on his legs, Keith looked like Keith and had a smile on his face and a warm welcome for a core group of people who stopped by to help.
 
First stop was the kitchen where Keith promptly made some coffee in his own coffee maker. Cathelyn and Claire assessed placement of appliances in the kitchen. There would have to be a few adjustments. It is difficult to describe the pleasure that Keith got out of the simple act of making a pot of coffee…savoring a taste of his favorite blend and sharing a cup with friends in his own kitchen.
 One thing that we all held our breath over (literally) was when the refrigerator door was opened for the first time. The anticipation of not knowing what might come wafting out of an icebox that hadn’t been opened in over a month was palpable but, no worries. The refrigerator was pretty darn clean!
The Casa Colina Team went through the entire house with their clipboard and measuring tape. They have helped hundreds of Casa Colina patients make the successful reentry back into their homes. Biggest changes would have to come in the bathroom and perhaps widening some doors to accommodate Keith’s chair. Other changes would be recommended for the driveway and ramp. The steep entry angle might present a problem. It was very rewarding to see just how thorough these two professionals were and to feel the real concern and hope that they had for Keith. They didn’t coddle Keith but you could see the genuine warmth and regard that they had for each other as they interacted.
 As Keith visited with a small group of his friends and Jenny Payne, his girl friend who has been by his side, Cathelyn and Claire continued with their work. Keith’s very supportive landlord was there as well as Buz and Renee Olsen. Forest Munden and Josh Wilkins also helped out. Keith was in good spirits and joked freely with everyone there.
  Then it was time to try out how his bedroom would work for entry from a wheel chair. Remember, Keith now has no muscle control from the chest down. He must make the transfer from the chair to the bed using his arms and upper body only. The bed was not in the optimum position but they gave it a try. Cathelyn quietly coached Keith as he went through the steps to position himself and his legs. The two broken clavicles were still very, very sore.
They had been working on this maneuver for days before. The bed was much softer then the one he had been practicing on and it was tougher then he had been used to. Keith didn’t quit and pretty soon he was finally lying in his own bed….something that he said he had been dreaming about for weeks.
 Not a lot of time to rest and it was back into the chair….reversing the technique. This was just as difficult as getting into the bed but Keith quietly got the job done with his support team right beside him….coaching and guiding.
Success brought the classic Coffey grin and wise crack. There was never a sense of self pity or doubt. It was obvious that he was thrilled to be in his own home, if even for just a little while.
Although it was clear that Keith would have been happy to just stay and not return, the time soon came. Keith enjoyed the sunlight and the pine trees and the whole flavor of Wrightwood. We joked about trapping a few squirrels and letting them loose in his room at Casa Colina. He had met the simple goals that he had set of laying in his own bed and making a pot of his own, good coffee. He got to see some of his friends and see his home…if even only for a short time.
Jenny wheeled him up the drive way and the loading process began. First the van “set down” and a ramp came out. Jokes were made about Keith being in a “Soccer Mom” van. It took a few minutes to get all strapped in and then it was time to head back down the hill and resume the daily therapy that is giving Keith the skills that he needs to adapt to his new challenge.
 As we all said our farewells, I reflected on a young man who still faces the challenge of a lifetime….challenges that most of us will find difficult to comprehend. I saw the strength of his will as he quietly went about what he needed to do. I remembered how we had faced incredible challenges together over the years on the ski slopes and in the fire department and how he had always managed to make it through and in some cases do the impossible. I saw a team of talented and caring professionals who are helping Keith adapt to this new way of going. I saw a loving group of friends and supporters who are there for Keith and are working to help him make this transition as well. All in all, it was probably one of Keith’s best days since the accident.
The smile says it all.
We’ll update this as often as we can. Take the time to visit the website and Face Book page and share something with Keith. Support him the tee shirts and soon, the coffee.
He’d love to hear from you.
September 29, 2009
Keith is currently at the Casa Colina Rehabilitation Center in Pomona California. His injuries were very extensive with multiple fractures to his spine, Clavicle, and sternum and compression damage to his spinal cord, resulting in paralysis from his nipple line down.
Casa Colina specializes in spinal injuries and is the best possible facility for his recovery. He has a long road to recovery but is progressing with huge strides. The staff has Keith busy all day with multiple physical therapy sessions, classes on how to adjust and what to expect, and visits from previous patients who have gone through what he is going through now. The staff at Casa Colina is, hands down, the best in their field and take care of Keith as if he were there own. It seems like Keith is quite the celebrity down there. Everyone knows him by name, laughs at his "Keith" jokes and motivate him in every way possible.
As for Keith, he is still the same guy you know and love. He is adapting well and staying very positive. His Clavicle seems to be healing well and should give him less grief in the coming weeks. He has full use of his arms, and of last report is starting to get pretty buff. He is able to get into his wheelchair without assistance and motors around the facility more and more. They have some great courtyards to hang out in and an amazing cafeteria as well. Keith's room is pretty cozy for a hospital room. He has a TV, laptop, DVD player, receives mail, his kids drawings hanging on the wall, the epic Darren photo in a frame and lot of other goodies from his many, many friends and family visits. If you visit before 4pm, you can even help in his physical therapy session and watch with amazement and Keith does the impossible, 4 hours a day.
Stay tuned for more progress reports!
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