Our 2027 Beneficiary Jimmy Latham
It was a mid-December Sunday afternoon and Alexandria was having a blast going visiting with 1-year-old Alyvia and Brett, family members recalled. When they saw the long line for the mall Santa, they happily switched to Plan B: Take Alyvia to visit Brett’s grandmother in Dracut.
But moments after they crossed into Massachusetts, as the landmark iron bridge that spans the Merrimack River in Tyngsborough was coming into view, the sickening sounds of shattering glass, crunching metal, and hissing engine parts filled the air.
Now, nearly three weeks after the Dec. 14 crash involving Brett’s Nissan Rogue and a Subaru Impreza operated by a man from Westford, Mass., Alexandria Teixeira lies in Tufts Medical Center in Boston, visited and comforted by a parade of members of her large and extended family and plenty of friends. They all have a prayer that Alexandria recovers conquering the paralysis that resulted from the head and neck injuries she sustained in the crash.
Alyvia, thanks to her car seat, was uninjured, Teixeira said. Devincenzi sustained a head injury, got a few stitches, was treated at Lowell General Hospital, and rushed to Alex’s bedside as soon as he was released.
One of the most ferociously hard-working people I have ever met. She will never give up her hope of walking again. Her top priority, however, is to take care of her precious little girl, Alyvia (now 12). Imagine just how hard that is. Most of us will never know, but she moves forward complaining very little.
-Ray Keefe
10/15/26 - Update
The past fourteen months have been the most difficult since her accident in 2014. She suffered a sore that kept her bedridden until earlier this month. She was not able to get up and about, and she wasn’t able to work at her job at project walk, where her therapy began many years ago. Just this month, Ally was given the greenlight to go back to work and back to being herself, as her wound had healed. She now looks forward to using the new Wheelchair that we provided her this past Spring to be able to go out on Lake Potanipo in Brookline, NH ice fishing with her dad, and navigate in the sand next Summer.
We all feel so uplifted that she is feeling better and will be able to resume outdoor activities and be her inspiring self again.
“Hi everyone,
Many of you may already know me, but for those who don’t, my name is Alexandria Teixeira. In 2014, I was in a car accident that completely changed my life — and my family’s life — forever.
What we didn’t realize back then was how many ongoing costs would come with this new way of life — medical supplies, medications, accessible vehicles, and even home modifications like ramps, wider doorways, and accessible bathrooms. Things most people don’t have to think twice about became daily challenges.
That’s why the support I’ve received from Ray Keefe and everyone involved with the Polar Plunge has meant so much. I’ll never forget the first time Ray reached out to my family — the donation made such a difference during a really difficult time. And it didn’t stop there. Over the years, Ray and this amazing group have continued to check in, making sure I had what I needed to live safely and independently.
Because of your generosity, I’ve been able to focus on living — not just surviving — and that’s something I can never thank you enough for.
I’ve told Ray many times that I want to give back however I can, because what you’ve all done for me has truly changed my life. Each of you here tonight makes an incredible impact — not just financially, but emotionally. You give hope, freedom, and dignity to people like me.
From the bottom of my heart — thank you for everything you do.” - Ally