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Patrick Rummerfield

The World's First Fully-Recovered Spinal Cord Injury Quadriplegic

All Media Inquires  

Pat Rummerfield Driving The White Lightening Bonneville Salt Flats Utah

PREFACE

A brief retrospective of

PATRICK RUMMERFIELD,

his incredible accomplishments

despite physical challenges and

his inspiring determination to

never giving up.

Patrick's dreams have

inspired and encouraged individuals stricken with paralysis around the world.

His achievements contain the seeds that may create gardens of hope in the world populated by paralyzed children and adults.


 

Patrick Rummerfield

Injured in a alcohol-related car crash in 1974, Patrick Rummerfield's spine suffered four crushed cervical vertebras. Doctors saw little chance for survival. Death within 72 hours. His extraordinary self-will, positive attitude and spiritual guidance beat the hand of death-and more. Enduring three years of intense physical therapy, he was functioning with almost complete normalcy and is credited as the world's only recorded fully-recovered spinal cord injury quadriplegic. His determination to "never give up" became the cornerstone of his new life.

When challenged to learn to run again, he began an incredible 17 year struggle that reached its zenith in one of the most grueling physical events-The Ironman Triathlon in Hawaii.

Despite unprecedented accomplishments, there was no peace in his new life. A deathbed challenge from his father inspired him to dedicate his life to public service and helping others to "never give up" with their dreams. His own life is a testimony to the miracle of will power and positive thinking. Rummerfield now contributes most of his free time to lecturing on safety issues, inspirational talks and establishing new sports world records.

Today, Rummerfield is a patient relations liaison at the International Center for Spinal Cord Injury at the Kennedy Krieger Institute, affiliated to Johns Hopkins Medicine. The center is directed by former Christopher Reeve physician, John McDonald, an associate professor at Johns Hopkins. The focus of the center is to develop and employ advanced restorative therapies for people living with paralysis.  Pat is recognized as an international expert in the area of accident prevention. His post-accident career also includes professional mining and underwater diver and engineer.

He is co-founder of the NextSteps Foundation. NextSteps is a non-profit, 501-C3 philanthropic organization, established in 1996. It's mission is to help in the fight for the prevention, treatment and cure of paralysis. "Our mission is to improve the quality of life for those living with this debilitating condition" says Former NextSteps Director Rummerfield.

NextSteps Mission Slogan is: "Racing To Cure Paralysis!"

He has completed in several major races including fundraisers for Ronald McDonald House and abused/battered children. His most recent race, The Last Marathon in Antarctica, was a fundraiser for research at Washington School of Medicine, despite sustaining injuries at the start of the race.

His most notable accomplishment is the Ironman Triathlon race in Hawaii, successfully completing the race as the first and only spinal cord injured quadriplegic, crossing the finish line before other contestants!

Rummerfield holds the national speed record for an all-electric car at over 239.5 miles per hour, set at the Bonneville Salt Flats Testing Course in August 1999 behind the wheel of the rocket-shaped The White Lightening.

Bondurant School of High Performance Driving, his next step is to pursue his lifelong dream of professional race car driver.

A popular motivational lecturer, Rummerfield travels nationwide speaking to audiences recounting his amazing story and inspiring others to set goals and never give up.

Many projects are currently in the works. Featured stories about his driving career by Motor Sports Weekly, shown by Fox Sports, interviews by the major networks and cable, movie proposals and a memoir on his life are but a few.

"When you look at a MRI of my spine, it's pretty messed up." Rummerfield says. "Doctors just shake their heads. Before the Ironman Triathlon, one doctor said he couldn't figure out how I could even walk. I should still be a quad."

Patrick Rummerfield is truly a living miracle.

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