Keyboard - Some keys don't work periodically - Ribbon Cable? - T40

I have a Thinkpad T40 14.1" with the following keyboard:
# Model number RM-US
# Part number 08K4957
# FRU p/n 08K4986

Periodically (and recently, most of the time), a particular set of keys do not work:
5
6
Delete
Insert
Home
PgUp
-
~
F1
=
Left Ctrl

and several other keys. It is always the same set of keys that do not work.

I think the keyboard ribbon cable is to blame. The following seems to get the broken keys working again:

1. Unseat keyboard from laptop.
2. Making sure ribbon cable is still plugged into the laptop, pull the keyboard away from the laptop such the ribbon cable is straightened out.

Of course, this doesn't do me a lot of good. When I go to reseat the keyboard, the ribbon cable must inevitably bend again, and the keys stop working.

So having said all that, is there a way to fix the ribbon cable? If not, is it possible to just buy a new ribbon cable, or do I need to buy a whole new keyboard? If I do need to buy a new cable/keyboard, where is a good place to buy them?

Thanks