My Friend, Keith

Adventures of Keith

This is my friend, Keith.  I met him about 5 or 6 years ago when when my wife, Dawn, started working with him for "home instruction".

As a baby, Keith had some life threatening medical issues that resulted in some physical and cognitive challenges.  At about 18 years old, before Dawn started working with him, Keith was working on learning to read a dozen or so simple sight words.

Keith would come over to our house 4 times a week for 2 hours each time to work with Dawn learning to read, learning some simple math, and learning to tell time.  Dawn started a Friday tradition with him called "Fun in the Kitchen Friday" where she taught him to bake and cook simple things.  During that time, he applied his math and reading skills while having fun and learning a practical life skill.

I work from home, so during the 5 or 6 years that Keith came over, I got to see him quite often.  Keith is an interesting young man.  He is a real jokester -- and he has a great sense of humor.  Keith cares about people.  He's experienced pain in his life -- both physical and emotional.  I know this -- not because he complains, but because of how empathetic he is toward others.  Keith has a zest for life that few people I know have.  He is willing to try almost anything including rock climbing, water skiing, and rumor has it, skydiving is next!

Keith did learn to read -- attaining mastery at a first grade reading level.  I'll never forget the day that Dawn told me about Keith reading to his mom, and his mom just broke down and cried.  She said she never thought she would ever hear Keith read.

Keith is truly a shining example of success regardless whether or not he has "special needs".  Keith has not yet reached his maximum potential -- mainly because every time you think he's about there, he does something new and different.  We should write a series of blogs on The Adventures of Keith!  I'll just tell about the latest adventure, and leave the rest for another day.

Keith was part of the Logan County Special Olympic Basketball team.  And they had a contest to see who could sell the most tickets with the winner being able to be the team manager for a benefit basketball game sponsored by the Driven Foundation including several former Buckeyes and other coaches and athletes in Logan County.  So, Keith got to be manager at the benefit game.

And, it was then that Nate Steirhoff, assistant coach of the Benjamin Logan High School football team, after noticing Keith's enthusiasm and encouragement to the players, decided, That's the kind of enthusiasm we need for the Ben Logan football team!

So, they asked Keith to be manager for the team!  This was no small promotion -- he had to be approved by the school board, and they approved him!  What a fantastic opportunity for Keith to use his natural ability of encouragement!

We could all learn several things from Keith.  First, we can learn that the Gospel is simple and accessible to all.  I say this because Keith has placed his trust in Jesus.  Second, we can learn from him what is important in life.  The simple joys in life along with true empathy for people are much more important than fame or riches.  Third, we can learn that limitations are rarely as we think they are -- we'll never know if the limitation is real or not until we try.