In Life, and in Service, Keith Takes the Wheel

Keith Thompson is a volunteer driver for Modivcare. “I’ve been called to be a servant,” he says modestly. “I’m a deacon in my church. What better way to give back to my community than to help provide the services some of the people in that community need?”

Perhaps it’s no surprise, then, that even though Keith plays softball, basketball, and pool, throws a javelin and a discus and plays too many other sports to mention, this U.S. Army veteran did something extra special a few years ago: At the 38th National Veterans Wheelchair Games, many athletes earned medals, but only one received the “spirit of the games” award: Keith Thompson. Keith was given this unique recognition, it was noted, because he “took the time to teach, encourage team members and other competitors,” and was a “mentor [to] novice athletes throughout the week.”

He deserves a medal—several, actually
Oh, Keith has earned plenty of medals in the national competitions he regularly enters as part of the aforementioned veterans’ annual games, and with Blaze Sports out of Atlanta—recently, at his last meet, out of eight events, Keith pulled down a gold, two silvers, and two bronzes—but it’s fair to say that his strongest suit might be helping his fellow humans.

Yes, he’s in a wheelchair, the result of a motorcycle accident a few years after leaving his 12-year stint in the military, but this tireless achiever, a fiercely competitive athlete from his high school days onward, wasn’t going to let that life-changing event slow him down. First, of course, there was the not small matter of having to grind though two months in the hospital and a year in rehabilitation to regain his mobility.

Did we mention that Keith was a full-time firefighter once he left the military? You see, after choosing the military over college as a teen, and spending a dozen years there, he emerged with a goal: more service. And so, firefighting it was.

The accident might have taken that away, but make no mistake: Keith has taken control.

A Hero
For checking every “service” box imaginable with your professional, military, community, and church work, and as a Modivcare volunteer driving to make sure others get the help they need, thank you, Keith Thompson. You are a Hero.

Sincerely,
Modivcare's Go Digital! Team

One final note: Keith is not asking for personal donations, but if you were inspired by his story, and you can, he encourages people to make a donation to the Southeastern Paralyzed Veterans of America so that other veterans, including the athletes, can get the extra help they need.