Helping Hands Monkey Gives Ned Sullivan His Life Back (VIDEO)

As an athletic college senior five years ago, Ned Sullivan adopted an unlikely sidekick: a five-pound monkey named Kasey who's now become his anchor in life.

It was then that the Concord, Mass. resident had an epileptic seizure and hit a brick wall at 40 mph. He was paralyzed from the neck down. Besides struggling to do everyday tasks, he also felt lonely, he tells CBS Boston.

Kasey now keeps Sullivan company and helps him at home. The capuchin monkey was trained at Helping Hands, a Boston-based company that teaches monkeys to do tasks for people who have severe disabilities and spinal cord injuries.

For Sullivan, Kasey turns off lights, works the DVD player and plays games with him.

"I always tell others she's like a wingman. She's like a co-pilot."

Now, Kasey and Sullivan travel around to schools to speak to kids about spinal cord injuries.

WATCH:

If Sullivan and Kasey inspire you, donate to Helping Hands below.

Comments

[kaydeechio]

07:50 PM on 03/01/2011

It's amazing what we can train animals to do! Sullivan's lucky to have such a great helper. Anything to give someone who's disabled a better sense of independence is well worth it.

[Harry Nielsen]

11:14 AM on 02/26/2011

Nearly 20 years ago when speech input first came out I got into it. The first customer I had was a quadriplegic. I trained him and the system so that he could do basic things on the computer. I went on to do the same for several kids who had Cerebral Palsy so they could go on to college. The technology was very rudimentary at the time. I didn't make any money at it, but I have done few things in my life that were as satisfying. As my father used to say " those of us who take the most from life,owe the most back". I guess that is an old fashion idea, considering some of the idiotic comments. Isn't amazing that the monkey has more compassion and love for mankind than half the posters to this story?

[Formeralaskangal]

04:31 PM on 02/26/2011

Fanned and faved. Good for you, and your father for instilling in you the idea of giving back.

[AngryHarpy]

02:55 AM on 02/25/2011

A very moving story. Those making jokes about the situation should be ashamed -- Those who have suffered a traumatic and debilitating spinal cord injury have gone through enough and will for the rest of their lives -- Don't be insensitive.

Please remember you can help those with spinal cord injuries by donating and supporting the Dana and Christopher Reeve Foundation.
http://www.christopherreeve.org/site/c.ddJFKRNoFiG/b.4048063/k.C5D5/Christopher_Reeve_Spinal_Cord_Injury_and_Paralysis_Foundation.htm

[V-rod]

01:16 AM on 02/25/2011

MMm..I can't wait to Eat that monkey.

[Layman23]

01:14 AM on 02/25/2011

Animals are such wonderful beings. You realize that after seeing something like this.

[LogicJack]

01:06 AM on 02/25/2011

This is really a great story, the things we humans come up with sometimes are amazing.

Though I do remember a movie, I think it was called "Monkey Shines" with the exact same thing and it did not turn out well for the guy. But hey this is real life. Good for you guy and you to monkey .

[booboo111]

12:55 AM on 02/25/2011

There goes another lost job to a helper monkey.

[VeggieLove]

12:34 AM on 02/25/2011

Wow...what an inspiring story. It's wonderful they found each other.

[MikeyJaii]

12:23 AM on 02/25/2011

I want a helper monkey!

[kaydeechio]

07:48 PM on 03/01/2011

LOL I do, too!

[Clare53]

12:23 AM on 02/25/2011

That brought tears to my eyes.

[Cgardener]

12:19 AM on 02/25/2011

Those of you that are Upright Citizens Brigade fans will have already made the connection.

[AlexFTW]

12:09 AM on 02/25/2011

This is how it starts! First it's helper monkeys, next it'll be labor camps and political re-education!

[craigbear]

12:02 AM on 02/25/2011

It astonishes me that a really uplifting, heartwarming story about a guy rebuilding his life after a horrible accident, and an adorable, smart animal who's been trained to provide assistance and companionship, can be cheapened by so many people making dumb, sophomoric jokes in the comment threads.

Seriously, guys...get a grip on yourselves.

[MarcoEsquandolas]

01:00 AM on 02/25/2011

LOLZLMFAOLOLOLOROFLZOMG!!!!!!

[LeftTurns]

11:48 PM on 02/24/2011

uplifting story! Thumbs up to the helping hands, and of course props to Kasey :)

[Jim8]

11:47 PM on 02/24/2011

I wonder if the monkey thinks the guy is his pet?

[booboo111]

12:56 AM on 02/25/2011

My cat did for 17 years, and she was right!