Finding l ve through Football

Kevin Mackin was injured in April 1996 when he fell from a ladder. The resulting C5/6 spinal injury had him laid up in hospital for eight weeks and then another four months in Sheffield Spinal Unit. Kevin had been working in Nottingham at that time but he was born and bred in Stirling. He initially moved south in the 1980s for work and had jobs as a forklift driver and labourer over the years.

One of his major interests across his lifetime has been Celtic Football Club. He ran the local supporters club in Nottingham before his fall and his keen interest in the ‘beautiful game’ prevails. He is currently Vice Chairman of Celtic Disabled Supporters Association. This organisation campaigns for better facilities at sports grounds and also hosts social and fundraising events every year. Kevin organises many of these events, getting Celtic players to attend and working with a committee of four or five others to raise large amounts of cash.

Kevin married his wife Jackie two years ago and now has four grown up stepsons as part of his family. He met Jackie four years ago when he was still in England through their mutual love of Celtic FC, and the happy couple now live in a bungalow in Kilsyth. Jackie was planning a weekend down South with friends and asked Kevin for suggestions where to go. One conversation quickly led to another and a long distance relationship was quickly established.

“It was not easy having the distance between us and I had always intended moving back to Scotland at some point anyway.”

“We had to find a halfway point between Glasgow, where Jackie’s family live and Stirling, where I am from. Kilsyth fitted the bill. We found a bungalow that just needed a ramp fitted and it has lots of space for me. I require at home care 24/7 and this also needs a bit of space to work. I keep myself as busy as possible throughout every week and no two days are exactly the same.” said Kevin.

We both love travelling and go on holiday as often as we can. Celtic plays a big part in our life. We also have a new addition to our family, Olly...

In addition to his beloved football, Kevin is a school advocate for Back-up Trust and works to encourage schools and pupils to be more accepting of pupils with an SCI. Kevin is also looking to do more volunteering work with SIS and is currently exploring opportunities with the Peer Support Group.

“When I initially had the accident it did turn my life upside down but my attitude is to just get on with things, there is nothing else for it! On the day I got out of hospital in Sheffield I was in the pub that night with my pals. I have had great support from my friends, they didn’t treat me any differently and I try to carry on with my life as before.”

Kevin and Jackie enjoy their holidays and hope to head off to Gran Canaria later this year. They were there in January and had a great time and the hotel suited them and Kevin’s needs.

“I really just need a hoist to get me in and out of bed and that is about all I need in the way of extra assistance. This helps me a lot and avoids me getting Jackie and my carer to do this. I know it can be a bit more complicated for others but if I have a hoist at the hotel I’m fine. If the resort is also nice and level and spacious then that is obviously a good thing”

Jackie commented: ”When I met Kevin we just got on instantly. We take each day as it comes and love spending time with both our families. We both love travelling and go on holiday as often as we can. Celtic plays a big part in our life. We also have a new addition to the family, Olly, our new labradoodle pup. He keeps us both busy and he's very much the boss at the moment.”

It seems like Kevin’s ability to take life as it comes, together with a love of football, has helped him in his determination to lead a fulfilled life and look forward.