Oklahomans Rally to Help Partially Paralyzed Teen

By Colleen Chen, NEWS 9

OKLAHOMA CITY -- NEWS 9 viewers first met Kristin Rogers on July 31 when the teen warned other young drivers not to text and drive.

Kristin rolled her black pickup in Alex back in June. The accident broke a number of verterbrae in her neck and damaged her spinal cord. She wants to stop others from making the same mistake she did.

Randal Rogers, Kristin's father, was desperately trying to juggle his work and renovations on the family home for Kristin. He only had 18 days to finish at the time of NEWS 9's first story on Kristin.

At the time, Randal said, "I just don't know how I'm going to do it."

That's when Michael Crawford of Crawford Roofing, Inc. stepped in. 

"I was touched. This young woman didn't ask for money or help. All she wanted to do was warn other teen drivers. She's an amazing young woman, and all of us are pulling together for her," Crawford said.

Crawford may have taken the lead, but donations came from a long list of others. Everything to construct the handicap accessible addition was donated.

"I can't thank them enough, I really can't," Kristin's father said.

But Crawford isn't looking for thanks, his thoughts are all with Kristin, a young woman he's never met.

"I want her to walk again so bad I can't stand it," Crawford said. 

"I know she's gonna be amazed and that's gonna make us all feel good," Randal Rogers said.

Kristin does have hopes to walk again, because her spinal cord was just damaged not severed.

Crawford is so confident, he's made sure to build her a walk-in shower as inspiration.

Volunteers have every intention of getting the work finished by August 18, when Kristin is expected to get out of the hospital.

There is a fund set up for Kristin at the First National Bank of Chickasha. If you are unable to get to the banks in that network, NEWS 9 will take donations and get them to the Rogers family.

Make checks out to Marla and Randal Rogers and mail them:
Attention: Colleen Chen
7401 N. Kelley Oklahoma City, OK 73111

These groups have already helped the Rogers family:
Blachard Building Center
Chickasha Lumber
Crossroads Lumber and Roofing Supply
Bordwine Development
Ursy Plumbing
ABC Supply - Oklahoma City
Pioneer Rental
Altlas Tuck Concrete
A&M Supply
Denver Southwest
Brothers Roofing
Brandt's Industrial & Farm Supply
Handyman Home Surplus
Lathrop's Mechanical
Crawford Roofing Inc.

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