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By: Rebecca Hyman
November 22, 2013
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BRIDGEWATER, MASSACHUSETTS – When Danny Keefe was born, his parents were told he would be severely handicapped both physically and mentally due to a serious brain hemorrhage.
But the dapper little boy with the infectious smile and indomitable spirit defied those predictions.
The Mitchell Elementary School kindergartner is just like any other 6 year old in every way but two, his grandfather Richard Osterman said.
Danny speaks with difficulty due to childhood apraxia of speech (CAS) and he wears a suit and tie every day by his own choosing.
“CAS has not kept Danny down. He keeps up with his siblings as well as a host of friends both children and adults,” Osterman said.
Danny, the official water coach for the Bridgewater Badgers Div. 5 Peewees, cuts quite a figure on the sidelines with his suit and fedora, like a miniature Tom Landry, Osterman said. And he’s forged an unbreakable bond with the boys on the team, his parents said.
So, when the quarterback, Tommy Cooney, heard Danny was getting picked on because of the way he speaks, he took it upon himself to do something about it.
The 11-year old Williams Intermediate School fifth-grader decided to wear a suit to school just like Danny in a show of support for his young friend.
“He’s such a good person. He doesn’t let it bother him. He goes on with his day. He’s a 6-year-old kid. We should all respect that,” said Tommy, whose father, Tom, is the team’s head coach.
Tommy told his fellow Badgers about “Danny Appreciation Day” and they all thought it was a great idea, including Danny’s older brother Tim, 10, who plays on the team.
On Wednesday, Nov. 20, more than 40 students from Mitchell and Williams crowded around the little boy with the winning personality in the Williams library cheering “Danny, Danny.”
“This is the best day ever,” Danny said, beaming.
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