Keith is a lifelong resident of Ulster County. He left the Benedictine Hospital Maternity Ward in May of 1991 with his mother, Linda, and father, Richard, for their family home in Halcyon Park, as the youngest of three siblings. He would be raised by two amazing parents and dedicated registered nurses.
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Keith grew up an avid swimmer, competing as a member of the Zena Sundevils swim team beginning at age 6. A proud product of the local public school system, Keith excelled at the top of his class. He was a member of choir and rowed for KHS’s Varsity Crew Team each year, through to graduation in 2009.
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Keith received a partial scholarship to attend Philadelphia University where he was enrolled in a Physician Assistant Studies program (BS/MS).
During the summer of 2009, right before the beginning of college, Keith suffered a spinal cord injury, leaving him paralyzed from the shoulders down. In the months and years to follow, circumstances required him to reassess his scholastic and vocational goals and opportunities.
Keith began taking online classes through SUNY Empire State College and later transferred to Ulster County Community College to test the feasibility of using paratransit in order to take classes on campus. He completed his associates degree at UCCC. He later transferred to SUNY New Paltz, where he graduated Magna Cum Laude with a BA in Political Science with a minor in Law.
Following graduation, Keith interned with then Congressman Antonio Delgado at his Kingston office in the spring and summer of 2019, during his first term in Congress. He assisted with data entry, locating public venues for mobile office hours, and recording constituents’ letters and correspondences.
Keith returned to RCAL in late 2019 (having worked there from 2011 to 2016), continuing as their Systems Advocate, advocating for policies to improve community-based services for individuals with disabilities. This includes regularly writing to the press, meeting with elected officials in Albany and virtually, and providing oral and written testimony to government agencies and the legislature on proposed policies and budgets.
Keith’s unique set of lived experiences, including being raised in a family of compassionate and committed nurses, and learning to navigate a web of critical public benefit programs, has led him to become increasingly interested in politics, civil service, and activism. With over 10 years of experience working as an advocate for Independent Living, disability rights, and living wages for all, Keith has developed a deep respect for the role lawmakers play in creating a world that works for everyone.
Keith believes the government has certain responsibilities and commitments to its citizens, including affordable housing, public safety, accessible and affordable health care, the right to privacy, environmental protection, sustainable economic development, and basic human rights.
As your legislator I commit to you to listen to your concerns and work to earn your trust.
– Keith