Donate to the Kevin McDermott Trust

We are a group of friends and family writing on behalf of Kevin McDermott. We are organizing a charitable campaign to give financial assistance to Kevin today and into the future. An Irrevocable Special Needs Trust has been established for Kevin, to receive and manage all contributions, and is intended to operate in a way that completely segregates all monies to be used specifically for the benefit of his long-term care and rehabilitation. Below are additional details about Kevin’s injury, his current physical condition and needs, including the present and future financial issues facing Kevin and the critical need for your generosity.

On July 5th, 2009, Kevin sustained a C5 cervical spinal cord injury after fracturing his neck diving into a swimming pool in Hampton Bays, Long Island.  Kevin was instantaneously paralyzed from the neck down.  Fortunately, one of his friends realized that he was drowning and rescued him from the pool.  Thanks to the quick thinking of his friends, he was immediately stabilized and air lifted to Stony Brook University Medical Center.  While at Stony Brook he underwent two four-hour spinal surgeries by a neurosurgeon.  A titanium cage, a plate and screws were inserted into the front of his neck to replace his shattered vertebra and two titanium rods were screwed into the back of his neck to help stabilize and fuse it. 

The surgeries were a success at stabilizing his neck, but the injury to his spinal cord remained.  He was only able to flex his biceps and turn his forearms, the classic motor pattern of a C5 spinal cord injury.  Kevin could not lift his wrists, move his fingers, move his legs, feet, or toes, sit in a chair, or take a deep breath.  After seven days in the Surgical Intensive Care Unit, Kevin was transferred to The Burke Rehabilitation Hospital in White Plains, New York. 

He is currently undergoing extensive rehab with occupational and physical therapists.  Through hard work and determination he has met every goal that the therapists have set, including the ability to tolerate sitting in a wheelchair, sitting unassisted over the side of a bed, and using braces to help feed himself.

On August 24th, 2009, seven weeks after his accident, a miracle happened.  Kevin was able to lift both of his legs.  The director of the Spinal Cord Injury Unit said that in his thirteen years of practicing spinal cord rehabilitative medicine he had never seen someone with a complete spinal cord injury such as Kevin’s be able to move their legs.  While everyone at the hospital stood in disbelief, this miracle came as no surprise to Kevin, who kept his faith in God and continues to believe that he will recover 100%. 

If you know Kevin, then you know that he is determined to overcome all odds and will walk again.  Kevin is an incredible athlete.  He was an All-American runner, the New York State Champion in the steeplechase, a member of the USA Junior Olympic track team, a twelve-time varsity letterman for Duke Cross Country and Track, an avid golfer, and backyard basketball player extraordinaire.  We are confident in his ability and desire to get better.

We are looking at all options to help with Kevin’s rehab efforts, but the expenses are adding up quickly.  Insurance covers 1/10th of the rehab time Kevin needs to maximize his potential for recovery.  In addition to his therapy needs, Kevin needs 24/7 assistance with basic daily tasks that most people take for granted.  Kevin cannot feed himself, brush his teeth, put on his clothes, take a shower, or use the toilet without assistance.  He needs help to transfer from his bed to his wheelchair, to be transported to rehab and medical appointments, and to be repositioned every two hours at night to prevent bed sores.  This requires around-the-clock nursing care, also not covered by insurance.  

Our home has been completely remodeled to accommodate his wheelchair-bound needs and a wheelchair accessible van has been purchased.  While we hope and pray that all of these needs are temporary, we must plan for the long-term future since Kevin is a recovering quadriplegic.

Kevin has received tremendous support since his accident.   People have cooked home-made meals, sent well-wishes, delivered prayer cards, and flooded his room with visitors.  Because of this outpouring of prayer and love Kevin has kept up his spirits and he is poised to literally “take the next step” in his fight to recover.   We would be grateful for your financial assistance to ensure the best care for Kevin.  Please donate to the “Kevin P. McDermott Irrevocable Trust” to support his continued rehabilitation and future as an independent person. Our goal is to raise enough funds to provide income on an ongoing basis to cover the costs associated with Kevin’s care that are not covered by insurance, particularly the personal care assistance needed for his daily activities. Given that these costs are extremely expensive, the Fund will need to be significant. I hope you will consider making a donation to the “Kevin P. McDermott Irrevocable Trust.” If you have already made a contribution, thank you on behalf of Kevin.

We look forward to speaking with you about this shortly and we would be happy to answer any questions you may have to the best of our abilities.  With your support Kevin will run again!

Thank you,

Friends and family of Kevin McDermott