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The Scene
Envision losing you closest family member and friend in one crashing moment. Northwestern sophomore, Kevin Doherty of Cincinatti Ohio, almost lost his triplet, and the pain was unimaginable. At the time, Kevin was home alone. His two parents were vacationing in Oregon and his brother was camping in Adams County Ohio. One of the triplets, Erin was in Florida for a lacrosse tournament. The other triplet, Meghan, was driving down to Florida to join her. -
The Accident
At around 10:30 p.m., Doherty received a call from his mom, informing him Meghan had been in a car accident. In the car with her best friend and best friend's parents, Meghan was hit by a drunk driver, head on. -
A Family Coming Together
The Doherty family was stuck apart, visiting different parts of the country. Doherty's father flew to Cincinatti to join Kevin and his brother. Doherty's mother flew to Florida, where Erin was already waiting at the hospital where Meghan was located. -
The Move
Meghan needed immediate orthropedic surgey; one of only five doctors who were able to perform the surgery was located at the University of Cincinnatti Children's Hospital. Meghan was transported to the Children's Hospital, and Kevin saw her for the first time around 9 a.m. He was shocked at her state of seeming disrepair. -
A Moment of Hope?
Kevin spent that first night with his sister at the hospital- from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m. He realized his life as a triplet could be coming to an end, but maintained hope. -
The Surgery
Meghan needed surgery on her shattered left hip. The surgeons inserted a metal rod into the hollow part of her broken femur. She was also fitted for a brace on her broken foot and for the broken vertabrae in her spine. Her collapsed lungs and bladder needed surgical attention as well. -
A Guilty Trip
Kevin, a boy scout, had the opportunity to enjoy the Philmont Boy Scout Treck, a 14 day hiking trip in Mexico. However, he nearly missed the trip because he did not want to leave his sister. Meghan pushed him to go in her honor. -
Time to Go Home
Six weeks after Meghan arrived at the hospital, it was time to go home. The prognosis at the time looked grim; the doctors expected she would never walk or run again. There was also a feeling that she would never return to full mental capacity. -
Proving the Doctors Wrong- part 1
Meghan smashed the theory she would never walk or run. She played soccer for the first time a year after her accident. -
Proving the Doctors Wrong- Part 2
The doctors were also wrong in their mental assessment. Meghan left high school a Summa Cum Laude graduate. -
Leaving it Behind
Meghan truly wanted to leave the accident behind. She had made a full recovery and enrolled herself at Clemson University in South Carolina. -
Continuing Success
Enjoying success at Clemson University, Meghan is fulfilling her parents' greatest hopes- she is receiving great grades and enjoying the social scene.