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Crime & Safety

Fundraiser planned for injured Bethany firefighter

The Orange Ale House will host the Support Zone for Keith Johnstone fundraiser on Aug. 20.

The Support Zone for Keith Johnstone fund-raiser will take place at the Orange Ale House, 517 Boston Post Road, Orange on Saturday, Aug. 20, from 6 p.m. to midnight.

Tickets are $25, which gets you two free draft beers and food, live entertainment by Old Skool, featuring Eddie Choiniere.

The event will be emceed by Radio personality Brian Smith.

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Raffle prizes, silent auction and Chinese auction will be available.

Keith Johnstone is a Bethany Volunteer Firefighter, dedicated to the fire service and his community, he dutifully responded to emergency calls and trained other firefighters how to drive the fire trucks.

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In August 2008, while working at his paid job at the Bethany Highway Department, Keith was cutting down a tree in front of Hinman Fire Station when a large, dead branch above him snapped off, hitting him in the head and slamming him to the ground where he lay motionless.

Keith was paralyzed. He spent five months at a rehabilitation hospital in Colorado where he learned to use a special wheelchair, and then returned to Connecticut.

He received therapy at Gaylord Hospital for many months and even began to walk, taking a few steps on his own on his birthday in 2010.  His spirit, determination and progress were documented in the Amity Observer newspaper, and later updated on Orange Patch.

Just as his full recovery seemed to be on the horizon, a series of infections, and insurance red tape began holding back his progress.

His therapy sessions were cut, the insurance agreed to work on his legs, but not his upper extremities. They covered some home treatments, but not others — setting him back to where he was three years ago.

Keith’s friends are holding a fund-raiser on Aug. 20 to raise money that will purchase equipment so he can receive the therapy he needs daily in his home.

Tickets are available at each of the tri-town firehouses, Orange Ale House, Mr. Kold Kuts, Applebees and other locations. (stay tuned for updated list.)

For information call Izzy at 203-393-0514, Jo at 203-314-5293 or Terri at 203-200-9283.

Tickets will also be available at the door.

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