Story

Daniel A. E. Cahill was born on September 7, 1986 to proud parents Cynthia and Gregory L. Cahill. Born and raised in northern Kentucky, Daniel is the youngest of two sons, Dustin being five years older. Early on in both Daniel and Dustin’s life, their father introduced enjoying the outdoors, but in an extreme way. Daniel was introduced to his first dirt bike at the age of three. He enjoyed just maneuvering around on it at first, but as time went on, motorcycles turned from a hobby to an obsession for both Daniel and Dustin. As soon as the older brother spoke of entering a motocross race, Daniel set his sights on being right along with him. The brothers both entered their first motocross race on March 6th, 1995 at Dirt Country, located in Milford, OH. Neither of the two brothers finished with in the top ten, but from that point on, they quickly determined to succeed within the sport. The entire Cahill family became involved very quickly with Motocross. Immediately, the young men and their father took into consideration what it was going to take to build up their speed and endurance. They started construction on a rare style practice track. It was fairly short, but contained all of the fundamentals of racing. The skills this track taught the young men showed very quickly. While at the age of eleven, Daniel qualified for his first amateur national, in the stock and modified class. At the age of twelve, Daniel stepped up to the challenge of bigger bikes, supporting a KTM 125, and facing older and more experienced racers. Quickly, Daniel learned the dangers of the sport after fracturing his right arm and ankle within a week of owning his new race bike. The injury was no match for the passion the family still contained.

By the age of fifteen, Daniel had impressive goals, but more impressive results. He had worked his way up to “B” class, one level down from pro. He had won the Kentucky state championship, received a tenth in the mini Olympics, received second at the Okeechobee national, had swept every Moto in two classes at the hard wrist series, won several local series championships, yet most impressive, Daniel landed a ride with a company providing top notch support.

Daniel once again stepped up another notch after his sixteenth birthday. He signed up for his first pro class race at his home track, and although the class only had eleven people in it that night, Daniel placed third. Soon after, Daniel qualified second for Loretta Lynn’s national, one of the more prestigious events in the entire nation. Soon after, however, Daniel again faced another devastating injury. While racing at another local pro race, he decided to enter a pro jump off contest, at which the riders would do tricks for the crowd, for their chance at making an extra three hundred dollars. The racers received two chances to show thier stuff. While on Daniel’s second run, he made a huge mistake, missing his handlebars right before landing. He broke both arms very severely, while throwing his chance at that year’s national title down the drain!

Daniel then began to step away from his sport he had yearned for and supported so much of his life. He turned his attention towards schooling, and having fun with friends. More of a typical teenage life, instead of traveling and chasing his dream. Daniel attended Scott High School in Taylor Mill, Kentucky from 2000-2004.

Right after graduating high school in May of 2004, Daniel started training once again for his sport. He and his father built a brand new practice track, that bettered the standards of most motocross track they raced on. The family started traveling around once again, training for Daniel’s ultimate goal: to qualify for a super cross, that upcoming winter. Daniel’s training regimen consisted of riding on his practice track twice a week doing thirty minute Motos, cardiovascular exercises for thirty minutes 4 days a week, practice on other local tracks at least one day a week, working core and major muscle groups every other day, and racing a time or two each weekend. Before long, Daniel was back up to his previous speed, and was working on finding a new support team for the upcoming race season.

Daniel turned eighteen on September the 7th, 2004. He and his father sat down and soon decided that if Daniel wanted to get the fullest exposure, while also taking his ability even to another level, he needed to head to the west coast of the United States. There, he could train year around on his bike, as California is known to be the Motocross central of the nation. Daniel set a leaving date, October 27th. He continued to train, and as racing season was ending, Daniel had started preparing for a few arena cross events coming up before his leaving date. On October 16th, 2004, Daniel and his close friend David H. woke up and drove to Maysville, Kentucky. Daniel did his usual preparation, as he did before all races. He stretched and ran through the mental exercises, as David checked over and warmed up his race bike.

A few minutes later Daniel put on his race protection, and outfit. He slid his gloves on over his taped hands, slid on his new helmet, then lastly his lucky goggles. “I remember pulling up to the line thinking how spectacular all my new gear fit, and how good I felt that day.” But sadly that’s one of the last memories Daniel has of that morning. Daniel struck the pavement like dirt.

“I remember laying on the ground, just wondering what had just happened. I remember trying with everything I had to pull myself farther out of the way so I didn’t get run over by other racers, but nothing was functioning. I had no idea what to do, or mainly, what on earth was wrong with me. I felt like I was in a totally different world. I remember hearing sounds of motocross bikes in the background and people yelling, but I felt like I was in a complete meditation. I remember trying to yell for help, then concentrating on breathing, then just simply fighting to keep my eyes open. I kind of dozed off I believe after that, but when I really knew my life was up for a change was when I woke up on the stretcher. Medics first asked me my name, which I knew. Then the two medics asked me to move different limbs, first asking to move my legs, then my arms. The absolute scariest words I had ever heard then followed out of the medics mouth. He’s not moving a thing! I thought the entire time I had been moving everything, my eyes were closed. And when I heard the medic say that, I tried to lean up to see for myself. I then was told to lay as still as possible, which I did. I remember busting out in tears of fear wondering what was going to happen next. Boy was I in for a surprise.”

Daniel was first transported to the Maysville hospital, then transferred to air care to be flown immediately to the University of Kentucky for back surgery. Daniel destroyed all t2-t3-t4-t5-t6 vertebrate in his back, and was diagnosed a complete T2. Daniel was then fused from the t1-t10 vertebrates. He was then in the University of Kentucky hospital for five days. He was next transferred to Cardinal Hill rehab center, also located in Lexington Kentucky. While there, Daniel and his family researched the top spinal cord injury rehabilitation hospitals in the country. They ended up flying Daniel to Englewood, Colorado on October 28th to start intense rehabilitation at Craig hospital. Daniel and brother Dustin called that hospital home for almost three months. After coming back home, Daniel headed to Drake Hospital. There, Daniel rushed the therapist to get him leg braces. Daniel’s dedication and heart showed fast. It was very apparent he wasn’t going to settle with the prognosis of never walking again. Within three months Daniel was up on leg braces, attempting to walk once again.

Now, he goes to intense therapy at sci (spinal corde injury) step in Mason, Ohio, and also attends aqua therapy at Drake hospital, but only two days a week.

“My goals are set quite high, but are with out a doubt achievable” Daniel also said. “I’m sure a lot of people doubt me, so I guess it gives me that much more of a drive to accomplish my main goal, to walk with just a walker (no leg braces by october 16th, 2009). That’s my set time and we’ll go from there I guess.” He would also love to see his foundation help other people with SCI in the future. “I plan on spreading the word about SCI, as well as stem cell research around this part of the country. I want to stress to newly injured people that whatever the doctors/people say, you can achieve anything you want, from walking to having a happy life, and still enjoy everyday to the fullest potential!”