Here are the pictures of Keith's triumphant and moving first talk at Moravian College, Bethlehem PA. Thank you Alex Santoro, Psychology student for your commitment and support to help Keith start on the road to bringing his stories to others.
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Sunday, December 28, 2008
Today’s List of Things That I Appreciate
Just being on the face of this planet
Church
Honesty
Discipline
Wisdom
Intelligence
A nice hot sunny day
Compassion
The Lord
Believing in myself
Realizing what I can and cannot do!
Miss Morgan
My family
Physical Therapy
Good books
Good music
Nail biting experiences
Personal motivation
A summer breeze
Thunderstorms
The smell of freshly cut grass
When I went to the cabin, I flipped over the same piece of plywood and found a hopping toad every time.
Just being on the face of this planet
Church
Honesty
Discipline
Wisdom
Intelligence
A nice hot sunny day
Compassion
The Lord
Believing in myself
Realizing what I can and cannot do!
Miss Morgan
My family
Physical Therapy
Good books
Good music
Nail biting experiences
Personal motivation
A summer breeze
Thunderstorms
The smell of freshly cut grass
When I went to the cabin, I flipped over the same piece of plywood and found a hopping toad every time.
Friday, December 19, 2008
Articles About My Story
Keith Jenkins’ Words
Article by Scott Lowery
Appeared in Column Scott on Sports in Webb Weekly
04/14/2007 www.webbweekly.com/sports.htm
Earlier this week while I was contemplating the topic of this week’s column, the realization hit me that another birthday was about to remind me that I’m not as young as I used to be.
Like some many of life’s experiences, birthdays are definantly ‘in the eyes of the beholder.’
Our three-year-old grandson Tucker was on the phone last week excitedly telling us all about his birthday and the big blue Spiderman cake that came with it. The thrill in his young voice left no doubt that this was indeed a very big day.
Twelve-year olds look forward to entering the teen-age years and older teens can’t wait to reach twenty-one. Twenty-nine is a birth date that comes too soon for some, while many others think so much of number 39 that they continue to hold onto it for years after it passes. Birthdays 40 and 50 bring with them the typical ‘over-the-hill’ jokes and gifts. Subsequently as other birthdays arrive it becomes less about how many you’ve had, but how you feel and what you can do that remains important. Dreams, vitality, independence and goals remain firmly implanted in our psyches.
A few days ago while visiting a neighbor she gave me an update on a young man whose goals were as vivid and defined as any young athlete I have ever known. He wanted to go to college to play football; achieved. He wanted to excel at eh collegiate level: achieved as a Two-Time All American; he wanted to become a loving father; achieved.
Then on tragic early morning the goals and dreams of this chiseled athlete where changed forever. South Williamsport’s and Lycoming College’s Keith Jenkins lay helplessly entangled in the wreckage of the car he was driving. Left severely disabled and unable to verbally communicate, Keith had given my neighbor his typewritten account of that fateful 2002 August day.
In his own words, Keith Jenkins tells us all the realities of how quickly one’s life can change.
“It has been almost five years since my terrible car accident, but I remember it like it was yesterday. It was early morning and I was working two long shifts at (names of the tavern establishments omitted).”
“After my shifts, I sat down to enjoy a couple cold ones. This was one of the worst decisions of all. I have three words to describe it and this is putting it nicely; crash, boom, bang. I am surprised the road crews did not call the mortuary. Instead, I believe they called the paramedics and my parents. I was driving home under the influence and crashed my car badly.”
“I did too many things wrong. The first thing was deciding to drive my car under the influence. The next thing that I chose to do was not wear my seatbelt. I am so glad they made it a law. I knew the road crews put those stop signs up for a reason. I should have never been driving. What I should have done is obvious after the fact----That is hand my keys over to the barkeeper and have him call me a taxi. However, one knows the attitude of young ignorant kids. They think they are invincible. See, they are not.”
“I am pretty sure there only a couple thousand people who have been in my situation. First of all and most importantly, I feel like I should be up with the Lord. The most difficult detail of all is my daughter. Her name is Morgan Elizabeth Jenkins. I would not trade her for the world. She is seven yours old and is as smart as a whip. She lives only an hour away by car, but a bunch of miles in my heart. I wish she lived closer, but I know she knows I love her. I tell here that every time I see her.”
Unfortunately, I have a tube in my abdomen. It gives me all the nutrition that I am forced to live with because of my accident. I am going to Good Shepard Hospital in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania for many reasons. They are going to have me in an intense physical program. This includes walking, taking and getting me a job. The main reason that I am going is to get the tube in my abdomen removed, which I so desperately want. They unfortunately are not the final say; however, it sure will help me to be there.”
Keith Jenkins seemed to have it all going for him. Now at twenty-nine, each birthday brings with it difficult days just trying to recapture the little things we all take for granted.
Keith Jenkins was a tremendous athlete who succeeded on the football field through skill and determination. One bad decision took that all away.
If you are the parent of an athlete reading this, make sure your son/daughter reads it as well. If you are an athlete, don’t take the attitude it can’t happen to you. Go re-read Keith’s own words above: “One knows the attitude of young ignorant kids. They think they are invincible. See, they are not.”
Thanks Keith for sharing your story. Let’s hope your new goal of warning others will be reached.
Article by Scott Lowery
Appeared in Column Scott on Sports in Webb Weekly
04/14/2007 www.webbweekly.com/sports.htm
Earlier this week while I was contemplating the topic of this week’s column, the realization hit me that another birthday was about to remind me that I’m not as young as I used to be.
Like some many of life’s experiences, birthdays are definantly ‘in the eyes of the beholder.’
Our three-year-old grandson Tucker was on the phone last week excitedly telling us all about his birthday and the big blue Spiderman cake that came with it. The thrill in his young voice left no doubt that this was indeed a very big day.
Twelve-year olds look forward to entering the teen-age years and older teens can’t wait to reach twenty-one. Twenty-nine is a birth date that comes too soon for some, while many others think so much of number 39 that they continue to hold onto it for years after it passes. Birthdays 40 and 50 bring with them the typical ‘over-the-hill’ jokes and gifts. Subsequently as other birthdays arrive it becomes less about how many you’ve had, but how you feel and what you can do that remains important. Dreams, vitality, independence and goals remain firmly implanted in our psyches.
A few days ago while visiting a neighbor she gave me an update on a young man whose goals were as vivid and defined as any young athlete I have ever known. He wanted to go to college to play football; achieved. He wanted to excel at eh collegiate level: achieved as a Two-Time All American; he wanted to become a loving father; achieved.
Then on tragic early morning the goals and dreams of this chiseled athlete where changed forever. South Williamsport’s and Lycoming College’s Keith Jenkins lay helplessly entangled in the wreckage of the car he was driving. Left severely disabled and unable to verbally communicate, Keith had given my neighbor his typewritten account of that fateful 2002 August day.
In his own words, Keith Jenkins tells us all the realities of how quickly one’s life can change.
“It has been almost five years since my terrible car accident, but I remember it like it was yesterday. It was early morning and I was working two long shifts at (names of the tavern establishments omitted).”
“After my shifts, I sat down to enjoy a couple cold ones. This was one of the worst decisions of all. I have three words to describe it and this is putting it nicely; crash, boom, bang. I am surprised the road crews did not call the mortuary. Instead, I believe they called the paramedics and my parents. I was driving home under the influence and crashed my car badly.”
“I did too many things wrong. The first thing was deciding to drive my car under the influence. The next thing that I chose to do was not wear my seatbelt. I am so glad they made it a law. I knew the road crews put those stop signs up for a reason. I should have never been driving. What I should have done is obvious after the fact----That is hand my keys over to the barkeeper and have him call me a taxi. However, one knows the attitude of young ignorant kids. They think they are invincible. See, they are not.”
“I am pretty sure there only a couple thousand people who have been in my situation. First of all and most importantly, I feel like I should be up with the Lord. The most difficult detail of all is my daughter. Her name is Morgan Elizabeth Jenkins. I would not trade her for the world. She is seven yours old and is as smart as a whip. She lives only an hour away by car, but a bunch of miles in my heart. I wish she lived closer, but I know she knows I love her. I tell here that every time I see her.”
Unfortunately, I have a tube in my abdomen. It gives me all the nutrition that I am forced to live with because of my accident. I am going to Good Shepard Hospital in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania for many reasons. They are going to have me in an intense physical program. This includes walking, taking and getting me a job. The main reason that I am going is to get the tube in my abdomen removed, which I so desperately want. They unfortunately are not the final say; however, it sure will help me to be there.”
Keith Jenkins seemed to have it all going for him. Now at twenty-nine, each birthday brings with it difficult days just trying to recapture the little things we all take for granted.
Keith Jenkins was a tremendous athlete who succeeded on the football field through skill and determination. One bad decision took that all away.
If you are the parent of an athlete reading this, make sure your son/daughter reads it as well. If you are an athlete, don’t take the attitude it can’t happen to you. Go re-read Keith’s own words above: “One knows the attitude of young ignorant kids. They think they are invincible. See, they are not.”
Thanks Keith for sharing your story. Let’s hope your new goal of warning others will be reached.
Sunday, December 14, 2008
The Six O’clock News
Ladies and Gentleman, Boys and Girls: hold on to your seat, it is going to be a bumpy ride! That is normally something you would get at an amusement park; not while you are brushing your teeth while getting ready for bed. When you hear that on the news, It is normally followed by a gruesome story about an individual who was either murdered or about a bank that unfortunately got robbed. The story that is heard is most likely going to have an unhappy ending!
On the flip side, I have a story that has an extremely sad beginning, but is going to have a happy ending! If you play video games, you are quickly able to learn the moves on Mike Tyson’s punch-out! When you lose to Buster Douglas, there is either something wrong with your hand-eye coordination or you have horrible reflexes. Now, if you make it all the way to face Mike Tyson, you have great reflexes or too much freaking time on your hands! Get a job, go outside and get some fresh air, or you can do what my father always says, read a book!
I invite you to read my article (eventually to be come a book and maybe even a made for TV movie) that I am now working on for a newsletter group I belong to. If you read it all the way through, (when it is done) and don’t put it down then I will pat myself on the back because I am trying to be extremely influential. Please give this article a chance. It is my story with the sad beginning about when I had an accident will driving impared and without a seat belt. I am now living my happy ending. Check back this week, to my Blog for the article. It will be titled My Story.
On the flip side, I have a story that has an extremely sad beginning, but is going to have a happy ending! If you play video games, you are quickly able to learn the moves on Mike Tyson’s punch-out! When you lose to Buster Douglas, there is either something wrong with your hand-eye coordination or you have horrible reflexes. Now, if you make it all the way to face Mike Tyson, you have great reflexes or too much freaking time on your hands! Get a job, go outside and get some fresh air, or you can do what my father always says, read a book!
I invite you to read my article (eventually to be come a book and maybe even a made for TV movie) that I am now working on for a newsletter group I belong to. If you read it all the way through, (when it is done) and don’t put it down then I will pat myself on the back because I am trying to be extremely influential. Please give this article a chance. It is my story with the sad beginning about when I had an accident will driving impared and without a seat belt. I am now living my happy ending. Check back this week, to my Blog for the article. It will be titled My Story.
Saturday, December 13, 2008
Pride Swallowing World
Pride Swallowing World
Catchy title, huh! This title is so catchy, it is used in the movie, Jerry Maguire. Now, that movie is one of my favorites. Not only because it is about football. But, it is about a man’s travel from the bottom of the pile to the top. This movie is about an extremely impulsive, naturally talented, African-American man who was playing in a non-professional league. It is obvious to me and probably any other athlete that this man was trying to take the next step in his professional career.
There is a scene in this film in which this athlete leaps up in the air and happens to come down hard on his head. The trainer checks on him while the coaches and fans wait in silence.
All of a sudden, the man leaps to his feet, he does a little dance, and receives a standing ovation from the crowd. I have my opinion of the movie however your opinion is very important to me. I am not trying to be pompous, however remember you are dealing with a two time All American. High school and collegiate and championships can be placed in my resume.
Catchy title, huh! This title is so catchy, it is used in the movie, Jerry Maguire. Now, that movie is one of my favorites. Not only because it is about football. But, it is about a man’s travel from the bottom of the pile to the top. This movie is about an extremely impulsive, naturally talented, African-American man who was playing in a non-professional league. It is obvious to me and probably any other athlete that this man was trying to take the next step in his professional career.
There is a scene in this film in which this athlete leaps up in the air and happens to come down hard on his head. The trainer checks on him while the coaches and fans wait in silence.
All of a sudden, the man leaps to his feet, he does a little dance, and receives a standing ovation from the crowd. I have my opinion of the movie however your opinion is very important to me. I am not trying to be pompous, however remember you are dealing with a two time All American. High school and collegiate and championships can be placed in my resume.
What It Is Like To Be In A Wheelchair
At times it is very frustrating, however there are good points. Whether you want to or not, you increase your upper body strength, tremendously. I got my interest in working out from my days of playing football. As of now I use my wheelchair and a bag of weights to increase my strength.
Before my accident, church and the Big Guy Upstairs (God), were not that interesting to me. Now, going to church and attending worship service, means the world to me.
If the accident hadn't have happened I would probably be a cocky, arrogant individual who thought that it was not necessary to attend worship services.
Before my accident, church and the Big Guy Upstairs (God), were not that interesting to me. Now, going to church and attending worship service, means the world to me.
If the accident hadn't have happened I would probably be a cocky, arrogant individual who thought that it was not necessary to attend worship services.
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