Extreme Makeover Home Edition Season 9 Episode 6 & 7 Keefer Family, Part 1 of 2

Dad Steve Keefer retired early to nurture his son Brian, a star athlete who became paralyzed in a life-threatening accident in 2008, just before his 21st birthday. Steve and Brian have an incredible father/son bond and, along with other family members, have worked hard to help Brian realize his dreams of graduating from college someday and regaining his ability to walk. On July 1st, 2008, twelve days before his 21st birthday, Brian Keefer (an all-around college athlete, volleyball player & coach, record-holding track & field athlete, and president of his college’s gymnastics club) suffered a drastic gymnastics injury that paralyzed him from the neck down. Brian was a sophomore at Lock Haven University heading into his junior year. With this injury, Brian needed 24-hour care and his father, Steve, didn’t hesitate. After working 30+ years at a distribution post for the military, he gave up his job and regular life to move onto the college campus with Brian as his primary care aide. With his Dad’s help, Brian is (with obvious qualifications) in many ways thriving: he even won Homecoming King at his college. At his family home, Brian is confined to only a few downstairs rooms of the house. With all his equipment, his makeshift room is very small and cluttered. Brian often feels like a prisoner. What’s more, the best therapy for Brian is aqua-therapy, and although the home has an outdoor pool that Steve built for his sons when they were younger, it isn’t to Brian in his wheelchair.