LA Secretary of State Fox McKeithen Faces "Fight of His Life"

Monroe, LA, News-Star | 02-19-05 | Hill, John

[Theodore R.]

http://www.thenewsstar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050219/NEWS01/502190311/1002

[Theodore R.]

We cannot copy from the Monroe News-Star, a Gannett paper, but here is the link:

http://www.thenewsstar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050219/NEWS01/502190311/1002

The LA secretary of state is in very serious condition in Our Lady of the Lake Hospital in Baton Rouge. His condition has been TENTATIVELY compared to that of the late actor Christopher Reeve.

[MEG33]

Sad news...How did he fall?

[John W]

http://www.thenewsstar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050219/NEWS01/502190311/1002

[Ellesu]

Local news here in Baton Rouge stated he was in a car wreck in Brusly last week and hit a pole. He was dazed but refused treatment. News said it was possible injuries were related to that. They have just said fall and have not elaborated on how he fell at his home.

[MEG33]

Makes sense. Thanks.

[PAR35]

We can't post the story, but we can summarize.

Fox McKeithen fell at his home midday on Thursday.

He suffered a neck injury at C3-4 and is completely paralyzed.

The doctors are not optimistic. They will not know if the paralysis is permanent for another 1-3 days. He is presently on a ventilator.

He is hospitalized at Our Lady of the Lake in Baton Rouge.

[deport]

McKeithen involved in Sunday car accident

By BRETT TROXLER

btroxler@wbrz.com

2theadvocate.com staff
From a report by WBRZ's George Ryan

News 2 has learned that Secretary of State Fox McKeithen, who remains hospitalized and paralyzed from the neck down, was involved in a single vehicle accident Sunday evening in Brusly.

An incident report from the accident said McKeithen crashed his SUV into a wooden utility poll at the corner of East St. Francis and Highway 1 north at around 7 p.m. The report said McKeithen was dazed from hitting his head on the visor.

Acadian Ambulance received a call nearly a half hour later at 7:36 p.m., but 12 minutes later the call was cancelled.

"To the best of my knowledge he was fine after the accident," said Chief Jamie Whaley of the Brusly Police Department. "He was talking, walking around and he refused any medical treatment."

Whaley said the officer who handled the call did not perform a sobriety test because McKeithen gave no indication of appearing to be intoxicated.

McKeithenls family released a statement Friday afternoon giving the latest information on his injuries.

"It has been determined that Fox McKeithen's spinal column was injured at level C 3-4," the release reads, "and he is currently suffering from paralysis from the neck down. Mr. McKeithen's doctors still do not know whether the paralysis is permanent or temporary."

The release said it would be between 36 to 72 hours before the doctors have a better long term picture.

As reported Feb. 18 on WBRZ's 5 p.m. broadcast. If you have information or comments related to this story, e-mail them to news@wbrz.com.

[Theodore R.]

This makes me think that Mr. McKeithen may have suffered very serious injuries from the Sunday night accident which did not show up until Thursday noon. Is that possible?

[jocon307]

"He was dazed but refused treatment."

I would advise everyone NOT to refuse treatment after a car accident, or anything like that. There was some famous actress, or model, I can't remember who it was, but she was pretty well known and a quite young woman. She was in a car accident and refused treatment at the scene. About three days later she was deathly ill, she had some internal injuries that caught up with her, maybe a lacerated liver or something like that. I think in the end she survived, but she was in bad shape for quite a while.

[treeclimber]

when I was a kid growing up in Louisiana, the Governor was John McKeithen. This must be his son.

Prayers.

[Theodore R.]

Yes, Fox McKeithen, who switched to the Republican Party in 1986, is the son of the late confirmed Democrat, John Julian McKeithen. Apparently, Fox McKeithen was the ONLY Republican that John McKeithen ever voted for.

[PAR35]

PRESS RELEASE FROM SOS OFFICE:



Date: February 17, 2005


"STATEMENT CONCERNING SECRETARY MCKEITHEN

"BATON ROUGE, LA -- Secretary of State W. Fox McKeithen fell at his home around noon today. He was brought to the hospital by ambulance.

"The bones in Secretary McKeithen's neck have shifted and he is currently paralyzed. The doctors have told the family that at this time they do not know if the paralysis is temporary or permanent. We ask for your prayers for Secretary McKeithen and that the public respect the family's privacy during this very difficult time.

"Secretary McKeithen is currently going through a battery of tests and we hope the doctors will be able to give the family and the public more information tomorrow morning. "


AND FROM THE FAMILY:

Date: February 18, 2005


STATEMENT FROM THE MCKEITHEN FAMILY

"The family of Secretary of State Fox McKeithen sends their thanks for the outpouring of support and prayers. It has been determined that Fox McKeithen's spinal column was injured at level C 3-4, and he is currently suffering from paralysis from the neck down.

"Mr. McKeithen's doctors still do not know whether the paralysis is permanent or temporary. It is simply too soon to know at this time, and it will be at least another 36 to 72 hours before the doctors have a better long-term picture.

"The family remains hopeful for improvement, but wants you to know that their father, grandfather, brother and loved one is in the fight of his life and needs your continued support and prayers, now more than ever.

"He chose a life of public service and has loved every minute of it and every person he has met along the way. The family's hope is that he will be able to resume his work of serving this state and its people, whom he loves so much."

[Theodore R.]

John Julian McKeithen, father of Secretary of State Fox McKeithen

Born: May 28, 1918, in Grayson, Louisiana, one year younger than JFK.

Political Affiliation: Democrat.

Religious Affiliation: Methodist.

Education: High Point College (North Carolina); LSU; LSU Law School.

Career Prior to Term: State Representative, Public Service Commissioner and Chairman of the Interstate Oil Compact Commission.

How He Became Governor: Elected in 1964 and re-elected in 1967.

Career after Term: Returned to practicing law and farming in Columbia, Louisiana; managed oil exploration company; appointed to LSU Board of Supervisors in 1983.

Died: June 4, 1999 in Columbia, Louisiana.

[deport]

Daily Town Talk article of which we can't post.... It says he'd been feeling bad for a couple of days and hadn't attended an event he was scheduled for...

[treeclimber]

he wasnt the only Dem to switch to the Republican party since the 80's. Now, the state is a solid Red state!!!

Laisse le bon temps roulet

[Theodore R.]

Now, the state is a solid Red state!!!

Well, no, Fox McKeithen was the only statewide Republican winner in LA in 2003. The GOP won its first ever U.S. Senate race in 2004, took over two Democrat House seats, but lost a House seat that it had previously held. Still, 2004 was the banner year of the LA GOP, coming just 12 months after stunning defeats in 2002 and 2003. "Solid" though is perhaps too pessimistic. The GOP may not even be able to find a credible gubernatorial candidate in 2007, but it's too soon to say.

[BlessedBeGod]

Prayer ping!

[Salvation]

May the Lord bring about healing to this relatively new GOP member.