Jul 19, 2009 10:02 pm US/Central
Rich Behm Talks About Recovery At Fundraiser
DALLAS (CBS 11 / TXA 21) ―
Cowboys scouting assistant Rich Behm, spoke publicly for the first time since the May collapse of the team's indoor practice facility at Valley Ranch. A fundraiser was held Sunday night for the 33-year-old Behm, his wife, and three young children at Pappas Bros. Steakhouse in Dallas.
"You have to be optimistic in this," Behm said. "Any of these guys who know me -- that's how I am. I'm always smiling and how it's always been."
Behm, a Cowboys scouting assistant, was injured on May 2 when the team's indoor practice facility collapsed during a storm. Behm is now paralyzed from the waist down and in a wheelchair.
He spent four weeks in rehab at Baylor University Medical Center and is now doing therapy at home.
"The initial prognosis is I wasn't going to walk at all, "Behm said. "Anything I can do in the immediate future would be awesome. I'm just taking it day by day. I'm still going to walk again. So, that's the goal and I'm sticking to it."
Those around Behm say he is an inspiration.
"Rich's attitude is great," said Cowboys Head Coach Wade Phillips, who attended the event. "You couldn't have a better attitude. That's the most important thing.
"The players and coaches can't understand what he's going through, but they'll be constantly reminded of his and his family's courage." said Joe Avezzano, former Cowboys special teams coach, who was the emcee for the event.
Guests bid at a silent auction and purchased tickets for dinner. Organizers hoped to raise a six-figure dollar amount for the Rich Behm Family Trust Fund. Behm says the attention is overwhelming and he is grateful for the support.
"The outpouring of support has been incredible." Behm said. He was unable to comment specifically about the collapse.
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