On November 18, 1978, in Flint, Michigan, 14-month-old Keith Edmonds’ life changed forever. His mother’s boyfriend, enraged by the toddler’s cries, pressed Keith’s face against an electric heater, causing third-degree burns over half his face. Doctors didn’t expect him to survive the night — but against all odds, Keith pulled through.
He spent a month in the hospital and endured years of grueling reconstructive surgeries at the Shriners Burn Institute in Cincinnati, fighting to restore a “normal” appearance. Trauma followed him, though, as he entered foster care while his mother was cleared and his abuser received only a 10-year sentence.
Bullied and isolated, Keith turned to alcohol at age 13, masking his pain with decades of addiction. His twenties were marked by depression, substance abuse, and run-ins with the law. But at 35, on his birthday in 2012, Keith experienced a life-changing moment of clarity. He chose sobriety and committed to transforming his life.
Keith’s comeback was remarkable. He excelled in corporate sales at Dell and Coca-Cola, handling challenging inner-city routes and earning top performance awards. But his mission went far beyond personal success.
