'Stranger' to run for paralyzed firefighter
They will be miles apart, but not in thought.
Come Saturday at 8 a.m., Moline firefighter Ben Houtekier will have a 2-mile lead in front of everybody else in the Quad-City Times Bix 7.
Sure, the Jackpot runner wants to win this race, but when he prepares to hear the starting gun his mind will be on another firefighter: Capt. Bob Juarez of the Davenport Fire Department.
Juarez will be glued to the television in his room at Genesis Medical Center, West Central Park, Davenport. The man who has run the Bix more than 20 times will be paying close attention to Houtekier, one of his many supporters.
The two men have never met, but their relationship has grown in the past month.
“He’s a stranger to me, but he’s a brother,” Houtekier said.
Since being named the Jackpot runner June 23, Houtekier, along with the Davenport Fire Department Credit Union, established the Robert Juarez Relief Fund. With the fund, Houtekier has asked people to donate money for every quarter of a mile he leads during the race. Bix 7 will also donate $900 to the cause.
The fund was set up after Juarez fell 20 feet from a ladder June 12 while fighting a fire at the Trissel, Graham and Toole Insurance Co. warehouse on River Drive. The fall paralyzed Juarez from the waist down.
Although Bob Juarez still has trouble talking since the accident, his wife Nancy knows how he feels toward Houtekier’s support.
“It just touches Bob’s heart,” she said. “It’s that brotherhood of firemen, and they would do anything for each other. He really is touched by Houtekier’s kindness.”
Due to circumstances surrounding Juarez’s treatment, he was not available for comment Tuesday.
Bob Juarez takes three hours of physical therapy a day and has accelerated his recovery process during the past week.
There have even been humorous moments for Bob Juarez. The firefighter’s first request after being unable to eat for weeks was simple: He wanted a Whitey’s ice cream shake.
“He’s been very impressive in his ability to focus on his recovery,” said Conway Chin, Juarez’s doctor. “He has the tools he needs to get well again.”
Houtekier has also paid close attention to Juarez’s progress. He hears from other firefighters that Juarez is getting better. The Jackpot runner was even going to attempt to visit Juarez before the race.
Then, Monday’s storm happened. The roof of Houtekier’s Moline house and car were hit by falling tree limbs. His house was one of thousands still without power Tuesday.
Because of the damage, the two will have to anxiously wait until after the race before they see each other.
“For me, it will be a humbling experience,” Houtekier said. “It’s inspiring to hear a man that is in his position looking toward the bright side. If he is able to smile, I should smile.”
Nancy Juarez said she wants Houtekier to take strength in her husband’s courage during the race. She also said she knows her husband will be with the Jackpot runner in spirit.
“It will be sad for my husband to not be running, but I know he will cheer Houtekier on,” she said. “I know if he could, he would be running right next to him.”
Nate Taylor can be contacted at (563) 383-2477 or ntaylor@qctimes.com.