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Friends Of Paralyzed USC Alum Brainstorm New Fundraising Tactics

Emily Goldberg |
October 22, 2014 | 9:49 a.m. PDT

Staff Reporter

Dillon Connolly, a former USC swimmer, was paralyzed after a swimming accident a month ago (Photo contributed by James Kashyap)
Dillon Connolly, a former USC swimmer, was paralyzed after a swimming accident a month ago (Photo contributed by James Kashyap)

For USC alumnus Dillon Connolly, diving into the ocean at Newport Beach one September Monday was a no-brainer - he had been swimming almost all his life, and had earned impressive accolades along the way. 

While in high school in Georgia, Connolly qualified for the Olympic Trials. Later, as a member of the men’s swim team at USC, he broke two records in the breaststroke, was a two-time Pac-10 finalist his junior year and served as captain of the team his senior year.  

But when Connolly dove into the water near Balboa Pier, the 25-year-old hit a sandbar, severely injuring his neck and spinal cord. While he has made some progress since the accident, Connolly has been largely unable to regain movement from the neck down. He’s since been transferred from an Orange County hospital to Shepherd Spinal Institute in his hometown of Atlanta, Ga. for rehabilitation. 

“Right now he is just learning to eat, learning to talk, and breathe and do all these things we take for granted,” said James Kashyap, Connolly’s friend and housemate. “He hasn’t had a solid meal since the accident over a month ago, but he is still so mentally sharp and funny every time I see him. He’s been remarkably positive throughout the entire experience.”

Kashyap, a USC 2012 graduate, started the Dillon Connolly Recovery Fund website to raise money for Connolly’s medical care. Since the launched the site launch shortly after the accident, it has raised over $50,000 and the page has been shared over a thousand times. 

Grateful as they are for the support the fundraiser has received, Connolly’s friend and former teammate at USC, Patrick White, said that the cost of Connolly’s medical care is still staggering. 

“James has already raised more than he thought he would but the fact of the matter is, if you do some research, an injury like this can be $400,000 to $500,000 in the first year,” White said. “Insurance is covering his rehab, but it didn’t cover his air ambulance to go to Atlanta, so that cost might consume the entire GoFundMe campaign right there.” 

Aside from the GoFundMe venture, White and other friends are exploring additional fundraising methods. As an engineering student at USC, Connolly was always tinkering with new projects, and at the time of his accident, he was almost done creating a bodysurfing paddle. His friends are exploring the option of selling Connolly’s paddles to supplement the GoFundMe website.  

“Right before the accident, he had just gotten the molds back, so we might try to sell those. It’s tough because I don’t know a lot about fundraising, but his family very desperately needs help right now,” White said. 

Despite the serious nature of his condition, Kashyap said that Connolly and his family have remained positive, and that Connolly has maintained his upbeat personality. At USC, Connolly was known for his outgoing personality and love for being active. 

“He is a very fun and outgoing person who always wants everyone around him to have a good time,” Kashyap said of Connolly. “Before the accident he was also constantly active. Every single day, we would be out surfing or swimming, mountain biking or go to Catalina. He could never just sit at home for a day.” 

Beyond Connolly’s array of outdoor hobbies and passion for life, one of the most important qualities about Connolly, White said, is his generosity and ability to lead by example. 

“He’d be willing to help anyone, if you didn’t even need it we really want to try to give him and his family as much as we possible can,” White said. 

Reach Staff Reporter Emily Goldberg here



 

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