Bedridden Broncos fan treated to first game at Mile High

She’s the Denver Broncos biggest fan, but until Sunday, Regina Dekoevend had never been to a game.

In fact, Dekoevend hadn’t left her house in five years.

Born with cerebral palsy, Dekoevend, 61, has been bedridden for most of her life. She can only travel by ambulance. But her condition has never stopped her from cheering on her favorite team from her Pueblo West home.

“I love the Broncos,” Dekoevend said. “My dad got me into the Broncos when I was growing up and I always loved watching them on TV.”

When AMR paramedic Chris McMahan met Dekoevend, he couldn’t help but be inspired by her positive attitude. When she was born, Dekoevend wasn’t expected to survive. Now, she’s 61 years old.

“You look at her age and she has far exceeded the life span of a normal patient with her level of cerebral palsy and I think it’s her attitude and outlook on life that’s helped her,” McMahan said.

McMahan set out to get an autograph from former Bronco, Randy Gradishar. Last month, Gradishar presented Dekoevend with an autographed #53 jersey. With the ball rolling, AMR, Gradishar and Phil Long Family of Dealerships were able to arrange for Dekoevend to attend the Sept. 14 matchup against the Kansas City Chiefs at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. McMahan and other caregivers picked her up in an ambulance and presented Dekoevend with surprises along the way.

Dekoevend watched the Broncos warm up on the field, met several players as they signed her poster and never stopped cheering.

“That’s what I do when I’m watching them on TV,” Dekoevend said. “I holler and scream at them to get the football right.”

Tomorrow it’s back to her bed in Pueblo West and the day-to-day struggles of cerebral palsy. But Sunday was all about the Broncos beating the Chiefs.

“I think we choose to look at life how we choose to,” McMahan said. “This is a lady that was dealt, some people might say, a poor hand of cards and she chooses to play the best game she can every day.”