Brownsburg firefighter beats COVID-19 after weeks in the hospital; Connection Pointe helps family with bills
By Lindsay Doty
Brownsburg firefighter Kevin Byron is used to helping others, but over the last few weeks, he’s been fighting his own battle with COVID-19.
The longtime firefighter who friends describe as a “gentle giant” turned things around. He started breathing on his own after spending several weeks on a ventilator. On Monday, he was released from Hendricks Regional Health in Danville.
Submitted Photo
Nurses and staff, along with Byron’s wife, lined up outside the hospital to clap and cheer as he exited the hospital doors.
He will continue his recovery at a rehab facility.
“He’s in good spirits. He’s obviously gone through a lot,” said Brownsburg Fire Territory Deputy Chief of Operations Ryan Miller who calls Byron a coworker and a friend.
“I saw him last Friday, and I said you look 300 percent better than when I saw you before,” said Miller.
Byron had tested positive for COVID-19 and went to the hospital on March 28 with symptoms of fever and shortness of breath.
Six firefighters within the department have tested positive for the virus, but Byron was the sickest.
Friends, family and fellow firefighters were relieved he recovered.
To help his family pay medical bills, Connection Pointe Christian Church in Brownsburg has stepped up to support Byron, his wife and their two children, including a son with special needs.
“God continues answering our prayers for full healing for Kevin Byron. Keep praying. He’s come a long ways, but still has a ways to go. Your gifts provided $20,000 for his mortgage and medical bills. Let’s keep loving on this hero,” said pastor John Dickerson in a Facebook post on April 27.