Quadriplegic Needs Quality of Life

I am Patrick Keating, brother of Tom Keating, for whom this site is dedicated. I can be reached at [email redacted].

Tom is a "C5 Quadriplegic" as a result of an automobile accident (he was a passenger) in July 1989. He has lived this way for over half his life now and remains an inspiration for all who know him.

In May 2014, Tom suffered an incident that resulted in partial lung collapse and pneumonia. He was admitted to Intensive Care in Easton Hospital. While in their care he suffered a fractured arm when a nurse was trying to move him. Unfortunately, the fracture occurred in the upper Humerus, one of the only parts of his body he can feel. The pain, since focused on this area, has been excruciating.

Since that time, Tom has had a tracheostomy (a neck tube) and a feeding tube put directly into his stomach. He is now in a convalescence facility in Annapolis learning how to breath, eat and talk with a Trache Collar. Recovering from all of this, ON TOP OF QUADRIPLEGIA, is a feat of superhuman determination, I assure you. There are only a very few people in modern America who can even grasp the difficulties.

Tom's desire at the beginning of all of this was to be allowed to pass away at home. He has fought the fight of fights for twenty five years and had little desire to live a further diminished life. This is where all you kind people come into play. Tom can actually have an IMPROVED QUALITY OF LIFE! With the proper bed to get him comfortable (we all know the aches and pains that come with age) and a van to get him to the places he wants to go (his old van is on its very last legs - seriously), the sky is the limit. With these small but vastly expensive comforts in mind, Tom fights on with the old indomitable spirit. WE NEED TO GET HIM HOME!

I have already noticed some familiar old names popping up on here. To you kind folks, and to the others who follow, you have our everlasting gratitude.

P.S. Tom did not want me posting pictures of him all sad and decrepit in a hospital bed. Let us get him home and in happy spirits to show what these comforts can do for him.

Pat