Keith's Evaluation

Just a quick update since Keith finally made it to Magee Rehab 
yesterday for an evaluation before starting his first outpatient rehab 
in a facility since he was discharged on 10/4.

Since the last time they evaluated him a couple of months ago he has 
substantially increased his arm strength and range. He increased his 
right side 5 degrees and his left side 10 degrees. He can pretty much 
put his arms over his head which is something the first doctor and that 
hell hole Atlanti-Care never thought he would be able to do. He also 
has increased movement a couple of fingers and his core area. Magee is 
very pleased with his progress especially taking into consideration it 
was all accomplished at home. He will be going twice a week for the 
next 8 weeks and then I guess it gets re-evaluated from there.

His standing glider has been approved so he will be able to do more at 
home.

Thank you all for your love and support and prayers. His miracle 
appears to be a very slow and steady one but as long as it gets him to 
the finish line we can live with that.

Keith Update

We are now approaching ten months since Keith's accident. Where has the 
time gone.

Some exciting things - Keith gets evaluated by Magee outpatient and 
hopefully schedules some appointments for outpatient rehab on 3/21. He 
also got approved for his own standing glider so he will be able to 
work out his legs at home. Still working the system on the outpatient 
surgery for his wound. He received his electric wheelchair and they are 
making some adjustments to it for positive reasons - they removed the 
support in the middle because his core is coming back and removed the 
heavily padded arm rests because he has good arm movement which is 
continuing to improve.

Kristen said Keith's arms and hands are continuing to improve. The 
progress is slow but steady. He has some movement in his thumb and 
index finger in his right hand and that continues to improve slowly and 
the hope is more stim at Magee will move that progress along.

Thanks for all your hopes and prayers. Keep them coming.

Keith and Kristen on NBC10 news

http://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/video/#!/on-air/as-seen-on/A-Love-That-Hasnt-Lost-Its-Feeling/139326468

Above is a link to a story about Keith and Kristen for Valentine's Day.

tomorrow Keith goes to a new wound care doc - special prayers he gets released for rehab.

Keith Update

We hope everyone had a great and healthy holiday season.

Keith is coming along. Unfortunately, he has yet to be released from the wound care doctor. He does, however, go next week for a second opinion in the hopes of getting to Magee for some more intensive physical therapy.

However, the ever inventive Dunnigan family has set up a system to help him exercise his arms while stretching his legs. He works on his own to exercise and strengthen his muscles and does have in home physical therapy.

Also on the upside, Keith has returned to school. It wasn't easy to cut through the red tape but he is taking three classes online and exercising that massive brain of his.

Hopefully, we can update next week with some good news about  therapy. Until then keep the prayers coming.

Keith Update

Just a brief Keith update.

 

Keith got his trake out today. Finally. He also has increased mobility in his core area. He can turn it like you are cracking your back as Kristen puts it. Unfortunately, there is concern for a sore on his butt so the wound care doctor has him on bedrest on an air mattress, which is driving him nuts. It has also delayed his outpatient therapy. He finally was approved for Magee. So one step at a time, one day at a time, he is working towards his goal.

 

Keith's mom's birthday is Christmas day so we are still hoping for the ultimate birthday gift of all, a Christmas miracle.

 

At this time of year we want to thank everyone for their support. We are well aware that we are not the only family who is dealing with adversity, which makes your support of Keith all the more special. Life isn't easy sometimes. There are days it is really really hard but we are thankful for all of you in our lives and you and your family are in our prayers as well.

 

Best wishes for a joyous holiday season and for a wonderful 2012. (It has to be better than 2011!!!!)

 

Happy Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving to everyone who has given us so much support over the last six months.

Keith had a milestone this week. He was able to move his right index finger. The occupational therapist said she could feel all of the muscles in Keith's right arm (that doesn't include his hand) doing what they are supposed to do, they are just weak. His left arm is a bit behind but that is to be expected. He continues to make small but steady progress. With spinal cord injuries that's the way it goes. Keith plans to go back to school in January probably online but you can bet by next fall he will be on campus. 

Keith unfortunately is spending Thanksgiving in the hospital. Kristen is with him and his family will be joining him soon. He had an infection that they needed to treat and he has to be fever free for 24 hours before they will release him. That would be a day late for thanksgiving. He is considering a jailbreak.

Enjoy your Thanksgiving and you will be in our prayers this holiday season. Please continue to keep Keith in yours and pray for that Christmas miracle.

November Update on Keith's Progress

 Five and a half months after his accident Keith continues to improve.

Here he is just hanging out on a Saturday afternoon in his motorcycle jacket and helmet. Never losing his sense of humor

 His stomach muscles are coming along and his triceps are getting stronger. He does not have to wear his abdominal binder or the support stockings he was wearing on his legs. His blood pressure has stabilized. He recently had xrays of his injury and if they are ok he will have his trake removed. He starts outpatient therapy soon. On November 3 he had his most recent appointment at Magee. They were pleased with his progress and the stomach muscles moving. In the case of a spinal cord injury, you celebrate each milestone but they unfortunately can't tell you if it means things will keep progressing. Rest assured Keith will keep at this until he regains his mobility.

 Keith's living space was recently completed and Kristen is having a grand old time decorating it.

 As the holidays approach, if everyone could pray for a Christmas miracle it would be wonderful. Keith's mom's birthday was Christmas Day and I know she would like nothing more than a gift for her son.

 Thanks to all for your love and support.

Keith Semi-Monthly Update

Keith has been receiving physical therapy and occupational therapy at home. They have been working on strengthening his core and he can move his stomach muscles. He can't suck them in like you and me but he gets a little stronger with them every day. They are working on having him sit up - maintaining a sitting position without support. So many things we do without even thinking he has to take great pains in teaching his muscles all over again.

The Dunnigans were able to find a van. Thank you to those of you who put feelers out there. The van has hand controls so while it may not be the corvette he has his sights on, it is transportation and when he is stronger he plans on driving it. 

Senses Fail started mailing out the t-shirts and the pope apparently blessed one of his wristbands for him and a relic is on its way from the newly canonized Don Guanella. We aren't leaving any stone unturned in our fight to get Keith the help he needs - literally moving heaven and earth.

Keith plans to return to school in January in some form. Hopefully, in person but at the very least online. Any information anyone may have on grants, scholarships, etc. pass them on. We are in the infancy stages of learning what is available out there so every little piece of information helps.

Thanks for all the prayers and support through everything whether it be a t-shirt, a wristband, a prayer, mentioning Keith's situation to someone who might be able to be of assistance, anything and everything that everyone has done and continues to do is greatly appreciated. 

Have a great weekend, be careful in the SNOW - can't even believe I just typed that on 10/28.

Keith update and Bracelet Sale

Keith is happily settled in at home. The Dunnigan family is working hard to finish his room and living area. Every day either physical therapy or occupational therapy comes to visit and they have given him exercises to do when they aren't there. They are pleased with his progress.

Yesterday was a minor milestone in that his left wrist moved against gravity. He has been able to use his left wrist while sitting in his lap but once you put lift up your arm and it is fighting gravity it was useless. Kristen reports she came home and his left wrist was doing well.

Kristen's Aunt Carol purchased wristbands stating "I Believe in Keith" in kelly green. They are available from Kristen (484-343-4376) or her mom Mary Anne (484-343-4373) or any family member or member of the Dunnigan family. All proceeds go towards Keith's medical expenses and needs. The cost is $4.

Keep those thoughts and prayers coming, they are working.


 

Keith Comes Home Today!!!!

129 days after his accident, Keith comes home today!  He hasn't seen his house in over four months and he is so excited. The Dunnigan family has been working hard to prepare the house for Keith's special needs. They are a wonderful family and love Keith very much. I'm sure there will be many, many, many visitors in the coming days.

Keith's last few days at Magee have been very active. He was on an eliptical type machine yesterday and thankfully did not experience any dizziness. His dysreflexia seems to be under control. Once he is settled in at home, he will do homecare pt for about a month and then outpatient. The Dunnigans will be in need of some type of handicapped accessible vehicle or one that can be adapted to be handicapped accessible. If anyone knows of someone who is trading one in or selling one, please let us know. Keith's family is pretty handy with cars so even if there are mechanical problems, let them know, perhaps it can be fixed. There is an email hopeforkeith@yahoo.com or albe1234@aol.com to reach Kristen's family.

Senses Fail put out a press release regarding their support of Keith. It is pretty cool -

Senses Fail Announces Believe In Keith T-Shirt for Charity

Posted on September 28, 2011 by admin

Senses Fail is honored to announce their part in the Believe in Keith Charity, to help pay for the medical expenses of Keith Dunnigan after a recent life changing accident.The band is releasing a t-shirt (which can be seen below) that is now available in the Senses Fail Webstore. All proceeds will go towards Keith’s hospital costs.

Tragedy recently struck longtime Senses Fail fan and South Jersey native, Keith Dunnigan. While at the beach with his girlfriend, Keith dove head first into the ocean unaware he was on the edge of a sandbar. Keith went headfirst into the sand doing major damage to his spinal chord. As a result he is now a quadriplegic and still in the hospital recovering.

“We are very pleased to lend a little bit of help to someone like Keith. After hearing about his situation we immediately wanted to get involved and do what we could to help raise some money for his charity,” notes frontman, Buddy Nielsen. “The goal is to help him make the transition from the hospital back to his home which is a very costly one. I would like Senses Fail fans to support Keith as strongly as they have supported us over the years and show him love and compassion. Please take a minute to hear his story and reflect upon your own life. I think the shirt we did is a fun and creative way to incorporate our love and Keith’s love of baseball. The number 36 was chosen by Keith because it is the number of his favorite player Robin Roberts.” More information on Keith’s recovery and progress can be found HERE or by emailing HopeForKeith@yahoo.com.

Keith appreciates all the love and support he has received from family, friends, Senses Fail and all of the people who until recently may not have known Keith or of Keith but have kept him in their thoughts and prayers. Perhaps you attended his benefit, or bought a t-shirt or just say a prayer every day for his recovery. It is all very important to him and there are no words to express his appreciation and the appreciation of his family and those who love him.  
 

Senses Fail Supports Keith

Senses Fail - Keith's favorite band - has designed a t-shirt to be sold on their website to support Keith in his recovery. It combines Keith's love of Senses Fail with the love of the Phillies. The number 36 on the back is for Robin Roberts - Keith's favorite throwback Phillie. If you would like to support Keith and purchase a t-shirt - and who can't use another t-shirt - you can follow this link

http://merchdirect.com/SensesFail/Tshirts/Dunnigan_Benefit_on_Red?productid=14749

Many thanks to all of Keith's supporters. Keep the prayers coming. He is making progress every day but has a long road ahead. He won't give up and neither can we.

Keith's Discharge Date

Keith has a new discharge date of October 4.

Keith had a visit with his surgeon last week and he was pleased with Keith's progress. On Saturday Keith had "trunk" control meaning from a sitting position on a mat he could lean forward and bring himself back up and go side to side. Not a big deal to all of us but Keith couldn't do that last week and every little bit of mobility that he gets back is a great step and encouraging.

Many hopes and prayers for continued recovery.