Helping Hands Monkey Gives Ned Sullivan His Life Back (VIDEO)

As an athletic college senior five years ago, Ned Sullivan adopted an unlikely sidekick: a five-pound monkey named Kasey who's now become his anchor in life.

It was then that the Concord, Mass. resident had an epileptic seizure and hit a brick wall at 40 mph. He was paralyzed from the neck down. Besides struggling to do everyday tasks, he also felt lonely, he tells CBS Boston.

Kasey now keeps Sullivan company and helps him at home. The capuchin monkey was trained at Helping Hands, a Boston-based company that teaches monkeys to do tasks for people who have severe disabilities and spinal cord injuries.

For Sullivan, Kasey turns off lights, works the DVD player and plays games with him.

"I always tell others she's like a wingman. She's like a co-pilot."

Now, Kasey and Sullivan travel around to schools to speak to kids about spinal cord injuries.

WATCH:

If Sullivan and Kasey inspire you, donate to Helping Hands below.