Fan throws out first pitch after accident

Jamie Ketchum wasn’t the least bit nervous about throwing out the first pitch at Coors Field on Monday afternoon. She was, however, twitterpated about meeting Rockies center fielder Ian Desmond.

“I think he’s kind of handsome,” she said, “but he’s also kind of talented.”

Few things now faze the 38year-old Ketchum. Somehow, someway, she has emerged from tragedy with a full heart and a zest for life.

Two years ago, Jamie, her husband, Troy, and Jamie’s parents were involved in a horrific car accident on Interstate 25. Jamie’s father did not survive, her mom was severely injured, and the accident left Jamie with third- and fourth-degree burns over 95 percent of her body. She also lost both legs.

But a trip to Coors Field, the place where Jamie and Troy had one of their very first dates, brought a smile to her face.

“Doing things like this makes me feel a little more normal … as normal as I will get,” she said.

Jamie survived a record 425day stay at UCHealth University of Colorado Hospital. Through those seemingly endless, painful days, a few precious things kept her going: her husband’s love and companionship, her family, the UCHealth doctors and staff and the Rockies.

“Troy was with me every single day; good days and bad days,” she said.

There were stretches of time when she was physically unable to watch the Rockies, so while her husband watched TV, she would listen.

Or they would sometimes listen to the radio broadcast together. The couple has been married for 5K years.

Jamie and Rockies manager Bud Black became pen pals as they swapped letters during her rehabilitation, thus continuing her long love affair with the Rockies.

“Today was so special for her, to be able to do this with her favorite team,” Troy said. “This is a blessing for us.”

The next step for Jamie is to go swimming, as soon as her last blister heals.

“They said they were going to turn me into a dolphin, so we’ll see,” she said.

Asked what it feels like to inspire others who have gone through their own hardships, Jamie didn’t hesitate with her response.

“It’s humbling,” she said. “I think you just have to push through it. There is nothing better than being alive. So, whatever you’re going through, it’s going to get better. It’s got to get better.

“That’s what I tell myself every day.”