Kennedy Krieger Patient to be Featured on ABC's Extreme Makeover: Home Edition, Friday, October 21st at 8/7c

(Baltimore, MD) -- We hope that you will share in our excitement that one of our patients was chosen as the deserving recipient of a new home through the ABC reality show Extreme Makeover: Home Edition.

On July 1, 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 his 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.

Tune in to ABC on Friday, October 21st at 8 p.m. ET when the series moves to Friday nights with this special two-hour episode featuring Brian and his family.

As you watch the building of Brian’s new home, designed with the help of his care team in our International Center for Spinal Cord Injury, look for footage of a special visit that a cast member made to Kennedy Krieger. And when the famous “move that bus” scene unfolds, keep your eyes peeled for Institute therapists in their purple shirts. There might even be a surprise appearance by our therapists as the Keefer family tours their new home during the episode!

Would you like to learn more about Kennedy Krieger’s experience working with the ‘Extreme Makeover’ team? Visit www.extrememakeover.kennedykrieger.org for our behind-the-scenes story, photo galleries and video interviews with our staff.