Support and solidarity with the Keogh family

I received David's simple text on September 9. "Craig. I am in Seattle and at some time would love to catch up for a meal and / or beer(s). David Keogh." As many of you know, David and his wife, Wanda, had moved to Australia, David’s home country, a few years earlier after decades in the Ballard neighborhood of Seattle, where they had raised two children, Emily and Nathaniel. I assumed David and Wanda were back to see their kids, both of whom stayed in the US to finish out their university studies. My assumption was wrong, unfortunately.

David and Wanda are back but under very difficult circumstances. They received a call from their son’s girlfriend that Nathaniel, who was just starting his junior year at Western Washington University, had been airlifted from Bellingham to Harborview ICU after a traumatic mountain bicycling accident. Nathaniel’s injuries were extensive and serious, including spinal cord damage leaving him with disabilities below the T6 vertebra - the impacts of which are yet to be fully understood. Nathaniel now has extensive titanium hardware in his back, as well as in his femur which he broke. In addition, Nathaniel broke 5 ribs, and punctured his lung. They are hopeful that Nathaniel will be able to walk again but right now nothing is for certain.

Nathaniel recently transitioned to rehab. He is still confined to bed, but is (re)learning how to get into a wheelchair, and there’s a long road ahead (years) of rehab in front of him. Fortunately, he’s young and strong. He’s also a Keogh, and for those who know and have worked (and butted heads) with David, you know there’s a bloody-minded, stubborn gene in that blood line. I’ve never known David to give up on anything, and Nathaniel is no different.

David and Wanda are 100% focused on Nathaniel, who now relies on his parent’s support and care for everything right now. This also means they have had to put their lives on hold in all other respects and may need to remain in Seattle, which presents any number of complications given they moved to Australia. I explained to him that it’s OK to receive help and that there’s a community around him that wants to help his family. They just need a way to do so - I suggested this go fund me page.

One option for the family is to take Nathaniel back to Australia where the medical and rehab costs will largely be borne by Australia’s public health system. They don’t know if this will even be possible - or if this is the right choice for Nathaniel and his recovery. It is still too early in Nathaniel’s recovery to understand what his ongoing medical and care needs will be. Another option is for the family to rent a furnished ADA compliant (wheelchair friendly) apartment in Seattle for a few months while Nathaniel undergoes intensive and ongoing rehab. If anyone knows of some appropriate housing options (including non ADA places that could reasonably accommodate a wheelchair), they’d greatly appreciate any ideas or leads. This is somewhat urgent because Nathaniel needs to leave Harborview by the end of September.

David has said that the care and all the medical professionals at Harborview has been beyond excellent. At this time, it is unclear what the costs and care needs will be after release from Harborview in a couple of weeks. However, the non medical costs alone will easily run into the 10s of thousands over just three months. Too many variables and not enough data points - yet. Hopefully things will begin to clarify as Nathaniel makes progress in Rehab and other more logistical aspects and paths forward begin to clarify in parallel.