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SimplyHome and ABC's Extreme Makeover: Home Edition

SimplyHome on Season Premiere of Extreme Makeover: Home Edition (EMHE) It happened so quickly. We got word that our product and services were needed in the building of a brand new home for a physically disabled young man and his family and before we knew it, we were on our way for the taping of the season premiere of Extreme Makeover: Home Edition.

A Little Background…

In 2008, Brian Keefer, a star athlete and college sophomore, had a gymnastics accident that left him paralyzed from the neck down. Brian’s family pulled together and his dad, Steve, retired early from the military to help his son with the activities of daily living.

And good things come to those who wait…this past Father’s Day, the Keefers awoke to the sound of a bullhorn, “Keefer family out.”

The Keefer’s current home is a two-story Colonial home and will be remodeled to accommodate Brian and also make life easier for the rest of his family – his mom, Dawn and his brothers Adam, Scott and Colin.

Independent Living for All…

Along with hundreds of area volunteer workers and businesses, we will work to install systems for independent living that will make life easier, simpler and more independent for all.

“The remodeled home will give Brian both adult independence as he ages and begins a new family someday, and proximity to his family to take care of him,” said Steve. “When the crew came to the house, I was like wow, wow, this is great. Brian will gain some independence ... I might get some independence.”

Allen Ray, CEO SimplyHome says that, “As I reflect on all of our original ideas, how things have grown and how we utilize technology in support of the human side of our business, it makes me so proud that we’ve been asked to be a part of a show watched by more than 10 million people.”

EMHE is an Emmy award-winning reality program and is on site documenting the project. The Keefer makeover will launch the show’s ninth season from 7 to 9 p.m. on Sept. 27 on ABC.

Extreme Makeover crew surprises Newberry Twp. family

LAUREN WHETZEL -- The York Dispatch

Brian Keefer has spent all 24 years of his life living at his family's Newberry Township home, situated in a cul-de-sac in a quaint neighborhood.

Not once did his parents, Steve and Dawn Keefer, discuss moving out of their home at 75 Dubbers Drive, after Brian suffered a gymnastics injury nearly three years ago that left him paralyzed from his chest down and requiring 24-hour care.

Brian Keefer was a sophomore student athlete at Lock Haven University in Clinton County, Pa., on July 1, 2008, when he suffered the injury, just 12 days before his 21st birthday.

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TV show to make quadriplegic's York County home easier to navigate

By

MARY KLAUS, The Patriot-News

The Patriot-News

A Newberry Township man who retired early to help his paralyzed son at college received the Father’s Day gift of a lifetime Sunday.

Steve Keefer of the first block of Dubbers Drive and his family will receive a remodeled house courtesy of “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition,” hundreds of area volunteer workers and area businesses.

The two-story Colonial home in the Valley Green area will be remodeled to accommodate Brian Keefer, a star athlete who became paralyzed from the neck down in a 2008 gymnastics accident.

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