The Colony Is Fighting For A Firefighter
THE COLONY (CBSDFW.COM) - Fighting fires is in Steven Vickery's DNA. "It gets in your blood. It's all you do. It's all you want to do," says Vickery with a smile on his face.
Vickery wants to do it so much he's willing to drive more than 80 miles from his house in Sulphur Springs to his fire station in The Colony. But he hasn't done that in some time. Vickery, 34, has been at home recovering from a heart attack and open heart surgery.
"I've had one problem after another medically," explains Vickery "There were times when I was close to not making it through."
His health problems began almost as soon as he was born. He was diagnosed with Neuroblastoma when he was just 9-months-old.
The cancer had to be removed from his left lung. He underwent extensive radiation which he says damaged some of his heart valves.
"I'm still having some trouble doing everyday things," says Vickery.
His fellow firefighters haven't forgotten Vickery or his wife and four young kids. They've organized a fundraiser called "A Day for Steven," and the city is still paying him through its "sick pool," sick days that have gone un-used over the years.
"I haven't missed a paycheck," says Vickery.
The Colony Fire Chief says that's the least they could do. "We just wanted him to focus on his recovery we tried to pick up whatever slack we could so he could focus on himself and his family," says Fire Chief Scott Thompson.
It's humbling for this firefighter who's aching to get back. "I can't imagine doing anything else. I don't want to do anything else. I'll be back," says Vickery.
"A Day for Steven," will be May 21.
The event kicks off at 8 a.m. at Stewart Creek Park in The Colony and is sponsored by Girl Scout Troop 354. There will be live music, crawfish boil and silent auction.
Chick-fil-A at 3705 Main Street, Stan's Lakeview Taphouse and Grill at 4847 Main Street and Angelina's Mexican Food Restaurant at 4851 Main Street will be donating a portion of their proceeds to the Vickery family.
