Keith Callaghan

Welcome to our CaringBridge website for Keith. We are using it to keep family and friends updated in one place. We appreciate your support and words of hope and encouragement. Thank you for visiting.

On the morning of Friday, May 11th, 2018, Keith was working at a construction site in Genoa, IL. They had completed the ceiling joists and were beginning to temporarily tack down plywood to have a place to work to build the gable ends and the roof. The details of what exactly happened are not clear since Keith and his co-workers were all working in different areas. It all happened very quickly. Speculation is that a gust of wind lifted a piece of plywood from the stack and it hit Keith knocking him off the first floor.

Keith fell approximately 10-11 feet to the ground and landed on his head, shoulder and back. His co-workers immediately called 911 and emergency services were there within minutes. Due to the extent of Keith’s injuries, he was stabilized in an ambulance and a life flight helicopter was dispatched. The helicopter arrived on scene and airlifted him to OSF Saint Anthony’s Medical Center in Rockford for treatment.

After assessment of his injuries, it was determined that Keith has significant cervical and thoracic spine damage. Currently, he does not have feeling from his chest down nor use of his lower extremities. He has a fractured sternum, fractured ribs, punctured lung, cervical spine chip of C2, fracture of C6 and C7 and thoracic spine T6 is shattered with a epidural hematoma.

Keith had surgery on Saturday to stabilize his spine. His neurosurgeon was able to realign his bones. No fusions were done at C6 and C7. They will heal with the use of a neck brace. Rods were placed from T3-T9 and the neurosurgeon stated that his spinal cord was intact with no leakage. His spinal cord was crushed but not severed which can give cause for tempered optimism. However, it is way too early to know the long term prognosis.

He is recovering from the surgery and has been transferred from the Neuro-Trauma ICU to a step down unit/room all within 4 days of the accident. He has been fitted for a back brace and wears a cervical collar at all times. He wears the back brace when he has physical therapy and is transferred to a chair. He will be transferred to a rehabilitation facility when he heals more for intense physical therapy.

Keith has a long road of recovery ahead of him. His three daughters, Nichole (24), Kendall (22), Samantha (16), girlfriend, Jamie, as well as his extended family have been by his side from the beginning and plan on being with him as much as possible.

Keith is extremely grateful for all the support given to him and his family. Please continue to keep Keith and his family in your thoughts and prayers. Letters of encouragement and cards can be given to Jan Callaghan or Steve & Pam Hall to be forwarded to Keith.

An account has been opened at Old Second Bank in Elburn, IL to assist with their immediate financial needs. If anyone wishes to make a donation, you can go directly to any branch of Old Second Bank to make a deposit or you can mail your donations to Steve & Pam Hall.

If you wish to make a deposit at Old Second Bank, inform the teller that you’re making a donation to the Keith Callaghan and Family Beneficiary Fund. (Checks should be made out to Keith Callaghan and Family.)

If you wish to mail your donation, please send them to:
Steve & Pam Hall
5N845 Meredith Rd.
Maple Park, IL 60151

SAVE THE DATE!
A benefit is being organized and will be hosted at the Elburn Lions Club on Sunday, September 9th, 2018. More information will follow…