Overcoming Obstacles: Connor Mckemey

By Ryan, December 11, 2015

By Erika Esterline, Staff Writer//
When an explosion resulted in junior Connor Mckemey being engulfed in flames, the athletic teen’s future took a dismal turn. On Dec. 21, 2008 Mckemey was sitting next to the outdoor fireplace at his home ready to start the fire when he was quickly surrounded by fire.
“I started yelling and screaming and next thing I know I was tackled to the ground and wet towels were being put on me,” Mckemey said. “I opened up my eyes I looked on my arms and I just saw black charcoal burned skin. I was put in the back of the ambulance and that’s where that night goes blank.”
After observation, Mckemey received a bleak prognosis that would have a major effect on his physical ability.
“I was burned over 90 percent of my body, 75 percent being third degree. I was given a one percent chance of survival and was in a medically induced coma for about two months and in the hospital for about four or five months.”
Despite the odds, Mckemey began to recover but not without challenges along the way. He would have much to overcome even in the realm of basic movements.
“Their main concern with me was just being able to walk again and do basic activities, like be able to dress and take care of myself, compared to actually play sport,” Mckemey said. “My mind set was, if I can walk and run, why couldn’t I play sports? I put in the time and doctors told me it would be nine months until I was able to just step out on the lacrosse field again.”
However, after many hours of rehab and several surgeries Mckemey began winning some of what he calls the small battles and was focused on making it back onto the field.
“I could finally focus on being the Connor I wanted to be,” Mckemey said. “Always try to find the positive in everything even if it’s such a small thing like taking one more step than you did the day before. Just having the small victories makes going for your ultimate goal so much easier. It would really help me when I was trying to win the small battles every day that you face, it’s impossible to win them all, but if you find yourself winning the majority of them you start to gain a little bit of confidence.”
Although he still bears the scars from that day, he has done what he can to move on.
“I dealt with all that when I was 14 years old, it’s not like I’m not still dealing with it, but the hardest part I dealt with when I was young,” Mckemey said. “For me it makes everyday better because I’m not afraid to chase any dream that I have now because I feel like I can do whatever I want and be whatever I want.”
Years later Mckemey defied the odds and received a scholarship to come play lacrosse at HPU. Through his accomplishments he has come to realize how much he is capable of.
“Being a part of this team, in particular, has been one of the best decisions I made and one of the greatest experiences of my life,” Mckemey said. “It taught me a lot about the human spirit and what we’re capable of doing. The word ‘impossible’ was tossed around a lot, so for me to be able to do something that’s ‘impossible’ shows that if you really want something bad enough and you’re willing to make the necessary sacrifices you really can do whatever you want.”