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Dariy Demko

@misterdemko

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Former marathoner 🏃🏻‍♂️💨
C5-C7 incomplete spinal cord injury 🚷
Relearning to walk🚶🏻
5K #2: 11/1 Golden Gate (@goldengatehalf)

POSTS STORIES REELS

1 Year.
Grateful for the progress.

To everyone who showed up, stayed close, lifted me when I couldn’t lift myself—thank you.

#spinalcordinjuryrecovery #quadraplegic #roadtorecovery💪 #sci #learningtowalkagain by @misterdemko

Another finish line crossed - my second full 5K since injury! 🏁@goldengatehalf

Grateful for everyone training me, pushing me, and walking alongside me, especially Devin.

On to the next one! 🔥 @goldenstaterunseries by @misterdemko

Thank you @rungrateful and @ktvu2 for sharing my story — and @victorianajjar for being beside me through it all. ❤️

This Sunday I’m looking to complete my second 5K @goldengatehalf @goldenstaterunseries.

See you at the finish line! by @misterdemko

Our greatest adventure is just around the corner…

After everything life has thrown our way over the past couple of years, we couldn’t be more grateful and excited for this next chapter!

Baby “Olive” arriving December 2026! 👶❤️ by @misterdemko

From running marathons to learning how to walk again, it’s been a journey I never could have imagined.

Today, I had the opportunity to share my story on @ksvy_svtv 91.3 FM’s Finish Line Moments reflecting on life before my spinal cord injury, the road to recovery, and my goal to one day run again.

A huge thank you to @rungrateful and the KSVY team for having @victorianajjar and I in the studio and giving me a platform to share my journey.

The finish line may look different these days, but I’m still moving toward that finish line moment.

#sci #roadtorecovery by @misterdemko

Two+ years ago, Craig Hospital was where I began rebuilding my life after a spinal cord injury. Last night, I had the opportunity to attend Craig’s annual Northern California fundraiser, supporting the incredible work Craig does for people living with spinal cord injuries.

Even more special getting to spend the evening with the Craig “Dream Team.”

From left: Dr. Jandel Allen-Davis (President & CEO of Craig Hospital), Dr. Candy Tefertiller (Head of Research) and Serena Bruzgo (President of the Craig Foundation).

Craig has been a huge part of my recovery and continues to be part of what comes next. Grateful for this team pushing forward rehab, research, and new possibilities for the SCI community.

From patient to advocate, pretty special to be able to give back to the place that gave me so much. 💙 by @misterdemko

End of Aug 2024, about four months post-injury. This first climb up the stairs with @haynicole94 and @buschmaster97 was the hardest.

I’ll never avoid taking the stairs again, because at one point I couldn’t. by @misterdemko

Independence, whether sovereign or physical, is never guaranteed. It is hard-fought.

Happy Independence Day, Ukraine. 🇺🇦 by @misterdemko

This gem is from two years ago, exactly.

No caption needed just 🔊 all the way ⬆️

#sci #roadtorecovery by @misterdemko

Cleared for takeoff ✈️ single-leg airplanes!

#sci #recoveryjourney by @misterdemko

Two years ago today, I took my first steps. Here’s what those two steps turned into:

3.23.25 - Viansa Wine Run 5K. Did not finish.
7.19.25 - Napa to Sonoma Rosé 5K. Did not finish.
9.5.25 - JP Morgan Corporate Challenge. Did not finish.
11.2.25 - Golden Gate 5K. Did not finish.
3.1.26 - Napa Valley 5K. Did not finish.
7.25.26 - Napa to Sonoma Rosé 5K. Finished in 3 hours and 19 minutes.

Everything above came from those few steps.

So what’s next?

11.1.26 - Golden Gate 5K. by @misterdemko

Still on a high from last weekend - I completed a full 5K post spinal cord injury after five failed attempts!

I was the first to start and last to finish. It took me 3 hours and 19 minutes, as long as it used to take me to run a full marathon.

But it felt great to achieve this milestone which seemed impossible two years ago.

I couldn’t have done it without @devinnewsome and the incredible technology from @evolutiondevices and @onwdempowered.

#roadtorecovery #sci @napa2sonomahalf by @misterdemko