The Keith B. Hayes Foundation was created to honor and memorialize Keith, who passed away on September 14th, 2007 at the age of 20 due to a progressive muscular/skeletaldisease and to continue his spirit of giving to others in need.

Through the Keith B. Hayes Foundation, scholarships are awarded to students at Ramapo College of New Jersey who are afflicted with similar medical and physical challenges as Keith.

Also, grants are awarded to organizations providing support to those who are facing physical challenges:

The Rockland Independent Living Center, Nanuet NY provides advocacy and leadership in the creation and development of an accessible and integrated community for people with disablities, so that they may pursue lifestyles of their choice - and recognizes Keith each year with the Keith B. Hayes Memorial Spirit of Mentroring Award.

The Wheelchair Foundation, CA is a non-profit organization with a goal to provide a free
wheelchair to every child, teen and adult worldwide who needs one, but has no means to acquire one. 

Jawonio, New City, NY is an organization dedicated to advance the independence, well-being and equality of people with disabilities or special needs. 

We thank you and all who will benefit from the Keith B. Hayes Foundation thank you as well.

Sincerely,

Sheila, Sadler, Adam and Brian Hayes

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Four years today (September 14, 2011)
 

By Sheila Hayes

Four years pass and go
Through rain, summer and snow.
With each season time flies past
With each year it races too fast.
Time is tricky with its pace
As if it is sometime a race.
You change your hair as styles go
Eye your children as they grow.
You cry, laugh and smile through the years
And 4 years pass to grieve with tears
In memory of Keith, my dear son
Whose battle with health could not be won.
So today on anniversary number four
I have finally opened an inner door
To the missing of his eyes reflecting on me
The touch of his hand gently on my knee.
Never again to hear the sound of his voice
Tangled with memories of such joys.
No longer a question of his health to be asked
While I’d respond with a face that was masked.
No longer a hug, a touch, nor a look
Just revisits of prized pictures in a photo book.
But no one can take from me what’s in my heart
Although at times more broken, we’re never apart.
You walk daily with me through eyes and soul
To journey the places time ran out, that is my goal.
We serve you through the Foundation in your name
Giving back to one’s in need, as you’d done the same
To one’s suffering with illness or physical disabilities
Striving forward to concentrate only on their abilities.
What you stood for shall not be for naught nor in vain
This I promise, for as long on this Earth I do remain.
Values to be remembered and taught to generations to come
Through years and generations I hope this will become.
So, in another four years that’ll pass and go
Through rains, summers and snow.
With each season time flying past
With each year racing too fast.
Time tricky with its pace
As if it is sometime a race.
There will be another door, I suppose
That I’ll see if is open, ajar or merely closed.

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Rising up to life's challenges

In Memory of Keith From His Mom

Keith left this earth way too soon. He was just beginning to finally live his dream to be able to attend a school where he could live on his own and enjoy the campus life, like any 20 year old should. He started that dream, but was unable to finish it. That will always be an injustice that he could not be the psychologist he wanted to be; one that worked with kids who had physical challenges or deal with chronic illness. Keith understood all of this. He had lived it for a long time in his own short life. Yet, Keith wore his armor of invisible steel that kept him upbeat, strong and fighting. He was my hero. He knew that. He was my inspiration. He knew that. He dealt with all his physical issues and didn’t complain. He was brave, heroic, loveable, endearing and a gift in my life. I am thankful for that. He will always be in my heart, but his teachings to me will be my guide to get through this. I would like to leave you with a this.  I saw Keith as;

A prince riding a steel horse with wheels
Off to battle wearing his invisible steel armor.
Fighting foes of illnesses, aches and pains
Winning his battles with a quiet strength.
Achieving his goals as best he could.
Until one day, the prince could fight no more.