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.