Longtime Sask. teacher and coach paralyzed after slip in basketball game receives outpouring of support
Kelly Kruppi, 46, has taught in Saskatchewan for 22 years
Kelly Kruppi has spent decades helping others — his family, his students and the children he coached.
"My dad has always been my biggest advocate, my biggest cheerleader," his daughter Hanna said.
"The epitome of a role model of a man, of a dad, of a husband."
Now, after a fluke accident and related complications have left him in perilous condition, the man known by many as Coach Kruppi is getting support from the many people he has influenced.
Kelly, 46, was playing basketball last month when he tripped and slammed headfirst into a wall. He was left paralyzed from the neck down. Then, after a surgery, he had a stroke and has been unresponsive ever since.
A teacher in Balgonie, Sask., Kelly has been teaching and coaching for 22 years in many Saskatchewan communities, including Craik, Montmartre and Southey.
Kelly's wife Erryn said her husband has always been known as a funny guy.
"He makes everybody laugh. He's got the great best stories. He loves The Simpsons and he loves talking about The Simpsons with his students. He likes to make all his EA's laugh and all his jokes about Bob and Doug McKenzie," she said.
She said the outpouring of support the family has received is incredible. Students, colleagues and athletes across the province have told her how Kelly supported them and was their favourite teacher, coach or mentor.
Erryn said she's there for her husband through thick and thin, but understands it's going to be a long road ahead.
"I fear for the future," she said.
His daughter Hanna said Kelly is a great father who has been there for her every step of the way. Now she's left thinking about the experiences they may never share.
"My partner was never able to ask my dad if I could marry him," Hanna said, breaking down. "In a perfect world my dad would be able to walk me down the aisle one day."
Kelly's son Leyton said that if anyone can push through a difficult time, it's his father.
"I think of my father, who was just the absolute pinnacle of being a man in the sense of work. This guy has been working like a dog since he was born," Leyton said. "Absolute workhorse … worked two jobs, never asked for a dime from anyone."
Kelly is not alone in this fight. A friend who was with him at the time of the accident started a GoFundMe campaign to help the family on what will be a long journey. As of Thursday afternoon it had raised almost $90,000.
Hanna said it has been amazing seeing people donate from all over the province.
"It blows us away," Hanna said. "They're from all of these communities that Dad has made such a big impact on."
A tribute basketball game is being held in his honour at Balgonie's Greenall High School on Friday afternoon. Kelly's junior boy's team is also renaming this weekend's tournament "The Kruppi Classic."
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With files from Jeffery Tram