CAITLIN MCDERMOTT OVERCOMES ALL OBSTACLES

Like many South Charlotte kids, 13 year old Caitlin McDermott loves to play basketball.  Caitlin enjoys scoring points and playing defense and “rolling” her way to a layup. 

The oldest of Jim and Fran McDermott’s three daughters is a basketball player for the nationally ranked Rollin’ Bobcats Wheelchair Basketball Team.

Born with Spina Bifida, Caitlin has been forced to overcome many obstacles in life. 
Spina Bifida is a serious birth defect that occurs when the tissue surrounding the developing spinal cord of a fetus doesn't close properly. It's part of a group of birth defects called neural tube defects. The neural tube is the embryonic structure that eventually develops into the baby's brain and spinal cord and the tissues that enclose them.
In normal circumstances, the neural tube forms in the developing baby early in the pregnancy and closes by the 26th day after conception. Later, the top of this tube becomes the baby's brain, and the remainder of the tube becomes the baby's spinal cord. In babies with spina bifida, a portion of the neural tube fails to develop or close properly, causing defects in the spinal cord and in the bones that make up the backbone. This can also occur in the middle or upper end of the spine but is most common in the lower spine.

The Jay M. Robinson 8th grader sees no boundaries and gives 100% to achieving her dreams. Last year, her Rollin’ Bobcats Prep team finished third in the nation. This year the squad is undefeated and aiming for the national championship to be held in Seattle, WA.  Caitlin also plays for the JV Rollin’ Bobcats team, one level above the Prep Division. The JV team has also played well this season with only two losses, both to Prep Division Teams.

“I really enjoy playing for the Rollin’ Bobcats,” Caitlin said. “I get to meet a lot of new friends, we travel across the country and the competition is great.”

At first the level of competition worried Caitlin’s Mom, in wheelchair basketball, contact is allowed and at times a collision may lead to a wheelchair being overturned.

“I was apprehensive at first, but over time, we became more comfortable with Caitlin playing and now we encourage her to play tough.”  From the day she was born, we tried to involve Caitlin in normal activities.”

Caitlin’s progress as an athlete and a teenager has been pushed along by her role model Dave Kiley. The paralympian champion serves as the coach for the team and also a mentor to the players.  Kiley pushes the players to overcome obstacles and give their all in every sport.  Through his leadership, Caitlin has learned to water ski, snow ski and participates in many track and field events.  

Coach Kiley has a quote that Caitlin uses often.

“I am a regular kid with a Quickie Wheelchair instead of Nike Shoes.”   (Quickie is the brand of wheelchair Caitlin uses in games)

Coach Kiley has given Caitlin the energy to overcome all possible setbacks.

“I have accepted my life and I am not going to let my disability stop me. I don’t believe I should ever have to feel like I am cast aside because I am in a wheelchair. I can find a way to do anything.”

Other than the wheelchair, Caitlin is a lot like her classmates at Jay M. Robinson.  She loves watching the Charlotte Bobcats and has season tickets. Her favorite player is Primoz Brezac, a neighbor and a good friend.  Caitlin is a cheerful young lady and has many friends in school.  She goes to the YMCA often to play basketball and also loves to play with the other kids in the neighborhood.

In the classroom, Caitlin is a strong student and regularly fills her report cards with A’s and B’s.   Coach Kiley also pays close attention to the player’s grades and encourages the kids to do their very best.

Caitlin McDermott is a profile in courage and those folks lucky enough to meet her can learn many lessons in life from the young ball player.

The South Charlotte Sports Report salutes Caitlin McDermott for refusing to yield to the daily obstacles she faces.  Caitlin provides an example to all of us to work hard and reach for the stars.