MINEOLA, N.Y. (1010 WINS) — Long Island Det. Ken Baribault’s life changed when a drunk driver left him seriously injured in 2008. But with a new service dog named Lady by his side, he is continuing on his healing journey.
“The day that he was hurt was probably arguably the worst day of our lives,” Baribault’s sister said of the May 2008 injury that left the Nassau County detective hemiplegic and with verbal communication struggles.
On that day, Baribault had pulled over a drunk driver on the Long Island Expressway, only to have his cruiser smashed by yet another drunk driver only moments later. He suffered a traumatic brain injury, a broken pelvis and was left in a coma with a 10% chance of survival. Baribault has been left fighting for his wellness ever since.
About 90% of Baribault’s language base is compromised, making it difficult to communicate.
“I’m sure everybody can relate, when you’re looking at something and you’re like, you know, ‘That’s right on the tip of my tongue,.” his sister said,
But the strides that her brother has made since the crash—which occurred when his son was just a little boy—are extraordinary.
“How do you do this, you know, 16-17 years later, it’s so much work on him,” she said. “It’s inspiring.”
After the crash, doctors predicted that Baribault would never walk again. Now, he’s taking steps and accomplishing lifelong dreams like visiting Europe with his family.
Now, thanks to his new service dog provided by a generous donors that covered any and all necessary costs, Baribault hopes to continue defying the odds.
“He’ll convey to you ‘It is what it is. Don’t feel bad for me because I’m at peace with it,’” his sister said. “And then you just try to focus on all the things that he can do instead of the things that he can’t do.”
Lady will go home with Baribault on Saturday.