How is Kevin McDermott of Chaminade?

I would also love to hear any updates. Been more than several years now since the accident. I thought I saw where he & his girlfriend were married about 3 years ago? He was working super hard and made superb progress. Both he & his brother could really run!

Yes, their family was really a talented group of runners! happy for him re: the marriage.

Hey guys thank you for asking. I had just come across this thread by accident really, so my apologies for any delay. After my accident, I had been in in-patient rehab for a few months and then out-patient for the next four years. I worked extremely hard seven days a week to get to the point where I am today. I couldn’t move anything below my neck for the longest time and I can now stand and walk with a walker for about 75–100 yards. I use a manual wheelchair to get around independently and am so fortunate to be at the point where I am today. Things could have been much worse. I just got married in late August and things are great. I am still working my ass off every day to be ready for whatever happens in world of science to cure spinal cord injuries. If anyone has any further questions or knows anyone with a spinal cord injury and would like me to help them, you can always email me at kevinmcdermott9@gmail.com. Life is good!

Blessings to you and your family.

SO good to hear an update. I can't imagine all the hard work that's gone into your progress. Do you think your physical & mental toughness that you honed while running has helped you persevere through all the rehab? And do you have time to follow the sport? You an Evan Jager fan?

Yes 100%. I have an incredible support system in my family and close friends. I played all different sports before I began running in high school. The competitive mentality along with discipline in all athletics made it an easy transition for me to want to constantly push myself in rehab. We all know what good and bad pain is as athletes, so I knew when to push or dial it back while I was in therapy and at home. I could tell in less than 10 seconds whether another patient was going to succee and overcome their injury based on their mental lreeenve and how easily they would give up when something was too hard to push through. Consistency and time are not tangible and those that may not have been competitive athletes can’t grasp how important it is to just keep pushing.

I’m pretty in tune to what is going on on all levels of track and cross country. I still love the sport. I don’t know Evan Jaeger personally but I am on flotrack and letsrun from time to time and see the results of races. It’s been great to see how he has taken American steeplechase to a whole new level.

Kevin,

You were the best teammate I have ever had and inspire me to lace up my shoes and hit the tartan oval daily. I am going through my own stuff right now in Florida and am so pleased to here you are continuing your journey. I will always remember the way you destroyed Slevin’s latters at CHS and Carriero’s fartleck’s on the trails. Thank you.

Brendan M.

I just now saw your response, Kevin. Thank you for the update. Happy to hear you are doing well and that your athletic background got you through the toughest part. Hope you continue to make progress and maybe we’ll see you back out there one day.

Amen!

Kevin was a bit older than me, but loved to see him crush it at the meadow. Watching Ryan go over a steeple pit was absolutely magical, though.