Steamboat Pilot & Today

Steamboat Springs — Craig and Andy Kennedy are Halloween heroes.

The energetic Steamboat Springs couple boasts "closets full" of Halloween costumes and vouch that they have never repeated a costume twice.

It only seemed fitting to host a fundraiser for Craig Kennedy the day before one of the couple's favorite holidays.

"I'm going as Cap'n Jack Sparrow from 'Pirates of the Caribbean' because I like to say, 'Yaaaaar,'" Craig Kennedy said Friday.

Andy Kennedy is dressing as Harry Potter's Hermione Granger.

The Kennedys' costumes - and likely many more - will be on display Tuesday night at Mahogany Ridge Brewery and Grill, during an event that includes live music, an hour of free food and plenty of prizes.

In August, Craig Kennedy was water-skiing at Bald Eagle Lake during an annual adaptive water camp when he broke his femur.

"It's like running over a tree branch with your car," Craig Kennedy said. "It was super loud. I knew something had happened, I just couldn't feel it."

Kennedy was paralyzed from the waist down during a 1996 ski accident. At Bald Eagle Lake, he suffered a spiral fracture on the last run of the day after his foot slipped out of a rubber holster, slamming his leg into the water.

Kennedy was rushed to Yampa Valley Medical Center where a surgeon put a rod and three screws in Kennedy's leg the day after the accident. Recovery time was speedy, he said.

While the headache of dealing with a broken femur wasn't painful, battling insurance has been, Craig and Andy said.

Craig Kennedy's insurance isn't picking up much of the tab since water skiing isn't considered "a daily life accident," Andy Kennedy said.

Craig Kennedy already has racked up thousands of dollars worth of medical bills.

Tuesday's fundraiser, dubbed "Craig's Femur Fundraiser Costume Party," is not only to raise money for Kennedy, but also an opportunity to win more than 50 prizes including a three-night stay with Mountain Resorts, restaurant gift certificates, a trip for four to the Strawberry Park Hot Springs, massages and artwork. Donations also can be made to the "Friends of Craig Kennedy" account at First National Bank.

Craig and Andy Kennedy say they are grateful for the support they already have received from the community and will continue to receive in the future.

"It's the kind of outpouring that's great to see," Andy Kennedy said.

Craig Kennedy agreed.

"When you're in trouble, your friends get together and help you out," he said. "Steamboat's a pretty amazing place."

-To reach Alexis DeLaCruz, call 871-4234

or e-mail adelacruz@steamboatpilot.com