On July 12, 1986, McDonald was on patrol in Central Park and stopped to question three teenagers. While he was questioning them, the oldest, a fifteen-year-old, took out a gun and shot him in the head and neck - an incident that left him paralyzed from the neck down.
The event, though life changing, has not stripped McDonald of his innate desire to do good, to contribute to his community.
Since the incident, McDonald has served as an advocate and role model for individuals with disabilities. Recently, he was recognized for his effort.
On Monday, July 25, Mcdonald received the First Annual Dr. Henry Viscardi Jr. Trailblazer Award for his "efforts in productively embracing the challenges of adversity and lighting the torch for inclusion and self-responsibility."
The award was presented by Nassau County Executive Tom Suozzi at a ceremony in Eisenhower Park.
"Mr. McDonald exemplifies the trailblazing spirit of Henry Viscardi by living his life with passion, self-responsibility and commitment to removing barriers for the independence of others with disabilities," he said.
Dr. Henry Viscardi Jr. was a pioneer in giving people with disabilities their rights. He founded Abilities in 1952 in a garage in West Hempstead. Since then, Abilities has evolved into one of the world's foremost facilities for educating and training people with disabilities and is located in Albertson, New York. The original incarnation of Abilities, Inc. was staffed primarily by disabled World War II veterans and Abilities, Inc. provided assembly and factory work for many defense contractors in the local area.
According to the 2000 U.S. Census, there are some 54 million Americans with disabilities; including more than 200,000 persons aged 16 - 64 in Nassau County. More than 500,000 citizens with disabilities reside in the Long Island region. Nassau County has been for many years a nationally recognized leader in removing barriers to people with disabilities.
