Keith Coffey Benefit Concert to Assist Paralyzed Firefighter With Medical Needs

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Rialto Firefighter Keith Coffey Paralyzed in Accident

Keith Coffey has been a firefighter with the Rialto Fire Department for the past ten years, dedicating his life to helping others.  A member of the Fire and Police Motor Cross Team, Keith was involved in a motorcycle accident during practice which left him paralyzed from the chest down.

Currently in rehabilitation at Casa Colina in Pomona, California, Keith is working on learning to become self-sufficient again.  During his accident, Keith's spinal cord was crushed, and as a result he lost all feeling from his chest down.  In the weeks since his hospitalization, he has begun to learn how to use his arms for mobility, and is now able to sit up on his own, although it has been challenging as he says, "You'd think that sitting up and touching your hands would be easy, but I still don't have an adequate center of gravity where I'd know where I'm supposed to be, so I'm always falling over.  I can't just sit up, something that we totally take for granted." 

Coffey's doctors say there is a slight chance he will walk again, and for now, he is using an upright wheelchair that allows him to be mobile, using his arms to power the chair. 

Remaining Strong and Optimistic in the Face of Adversity

Despite this adversity, Coffey remains optimistic and has a positive attitude.  He is thankful that he does have feeling in his arms and is not fully paralyzed.  He is even more grateful that he is alive and able to see his three children grow up.  His fellow firefighters at the Rialto Fire Department have volunteered to cover his shifts for the next year, which he is also very appreciative of.  If he is unable to return to his duties as a firefighter, he hopes to become a dispatcher or become involved in fire prevention.

Coffey experienced tragedy on January 26, 2008, when his brother Darren Coffey, a member of the Ski Patrol in Wrightwood, California, was killed in an avalanche.  In his brother's memory, Keith organized a scholarship fund and website www.darrencoffey.com to raise money for students in need.  Prior to his accident, he also submitted recipes to the Terry Farrell Firefighters Fund for a charity cookbook to help the families of injured and fallen firefighters.  The organization recently presented Coffey with a donation to help defray his medical costs.

Keith Coffey's resilience, positive attitude, and desire to help others has been an inspiration to all who know him.  San Bernardino County Fire Department Captain Josh Wilkins and long time friend of Coffey's says, "We're all proud of him.  He's the epitome of a Coffey and a firefighter. To me it's inspiring because he doesn't complain, he's really transitioned well, and it's a great inspiration for other people knowing that you can lose half your body, but you won't lose your mind and spirit."

Coffey Strong

Wilkins and several other friends and family members have formed a special fund to assist Keith with his medical bills.  His home will need to be modified to accommodate his wheelchair, and he will need to purchase a handicap accessible van.  His family and friends have developed a website www.CoffeyStrong.com where people can make secure online donations to Keith's medical fund.  They are selling Coffey Strong coffee and specially designed Coffey Strong t-shirts and hooded sweatshirts, the proceeds of which go directly to the fund.  In addition they have organized a concert in Keith's name, bringing together many fire service organizations and vendors, as well as local businesses and community members, to support this worthwhile cause.

Keith is very thankful for all that his friends have done for him. He says, "Between the support of my friends and family, and I consider my family to be the fire station as well, there's no way I could do this.  I can't believe the outpouring of support that I've received from the guys, from everybody.  It is pretty amazing."

Currently, Coffey can sit in his wheelchair for four hours at a time before needing to lay down.  In the coming weeks leading up to benefit concert, Keith hopes to increase this to eight hours, and his goal is to be able to sleep in his own bed at home that evening.

How to Donate to Coffey Strong and Keith Coffey Benefit Concert Information

The Keith Coffey Benefit Concert will be held on October 24, 2009 from 1:30 to 7:00 p.m. at the Wrightwood Community Building in Wrightwood, California.  For more information and to RSVP, visit www.CoffeyStrong.com.  If you are unable to attend but would like to make a donation, you may do so on the website via a secure donation system.  Several companies and organizations are sponsoring the event; however, the event's organizers are looking for additional sponsors, and an information package can be downloaded on the website for business owners who are interested in supporting this cause.  The Coffey Strong coffee, t-shirts and hooded sweatshirts may also be purchased at www.CoffeyStrong.com.

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