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Go Fast Go Faster
An Advocate’s Journey
by
J F McDermott
Go Fast Go Faster is a tender, funny, and deeply moving story of a father’s love for his daughter, and how together, they continue to triumph over tragedy. In November of 1995, birth trauma left James McDermott’s daughter Mariel profoundly brain injured, physically disabled and unable to care for herself. This event started him on a journey of love and compassion for her and others who face similar challenges. Ever an energetic and tenacious person, James immediately rose to the occasion, transforming nearly overnight from a self-described “slightly self-centred ex-athlete” to a passionate advocate for disability rights. Determined to create a meaningful and empowered life for his beautiful daughter, he stood bravely in the face of people and systems that devalued her and others like her. Using humour and positivity to cope through hard times, James dedicated himself to improving the lives of people with developmental disabilities, fighting for both their inclusion and their health. In 2017, he invented the CareChanger, a device he built for his daughter that will revolutionize personal care for wheelchair users. In this book, James honours both his adventures with Mariel – from clever Halloween costumes to a memorable Vegas vacation – and the many people who have touched her life through their compassion and care. We also get to meet the Glorious Golfers, a wonderful story about friendship, overcoming adversity and being inspired by inclusion.
This is a profound story of love with the concern of a father to make the best possible life for his daughter shining through the pages. It is also about challenging bureaucracy and inefficiency and significantly about the author’s relentless commitment to fight for a cause that extends far beyond his own child. He also takes us further into his efforts to significantly enhance the lives of others through access to the game of golf. Jim writes as he talks; directly and pungently so that his persistence and commendable determination is all too apparent. Frank Wilson Author, poet and presenter Victoria BC Canada
JF McDermott is a disability advocate, inventor, humorist, and loving father. For the past twenty-nine years, he has been advocating for his daughter and other people living with developmental disabilities. In the year 2000, following the initiative to create the Child Services Equity Act, he received a publication grant from Royal Roads University to produce the experiential report titled Direct Democracy, BC’s Initiative Act Repair Manual. He has also published various articles and writing unrelated to disability. McDermott’s background as a maintenance technician and engineer gave him the skills and knowledge needed to create the CareChanger, an innovative, award winning, revolution in personal care for wheelchair users. He lives on Bear Mountain in Langford, British Columbia. Connect with the author: carechanger.ca
Contributors
- Author
- J F McDermott