Nev Schulman Recovers from Broken Neck to Guide a Blind Runner at NYC Marathon

Nev Schulman, known for his presence on 'Catfish,' faced a significant setback when he suffered a broken neck in a bike accident in August, which cast doubt on his ability to run the New York City Marathon as planned, PEOPLE reported. This incident was especially emotional for Schulman because he was committed to guiding his blind friend Francesco Magisano in the race. With perseverance and dedication, Schulman embarked on an intensive recovery, driven by his aspiration to fulfill his guiding role.

After being lucky enough to escape paralysis from his accident, Schulman's road to recovery was intense. Treated at the Southampton Emergency Room and the Stony Brook ICU, his first few days were tough, dealing with emergency spine surgery and a neck brace. His determination was rewarded quickly, as just three days later he started moving around the ICU, astonishing his medical team.

Spending five weeks recuperating at home, Schulman managed his limited mobility amid family life with his wife and three young children. Despite missing crucial marathon training sessions, he focused on the bigger picture, valuing the importance of his healing time over immediate concerns.

By the middle of September, Schulman was cleared by doctors and felt reinvigorated upon returning to physical activity. Recalling how running had become pivotal to his mental health, he eagerly resumed training with Magisano. The duo compressed three months of preparation into just eight weeks, with anticipation building for the marathon on November 3. Schulman initially aimed for a personal best, but post-recovery, he simply sought to regain his prior performance level.

Backed by Brooks Running, which aided him with specialized footwear, and running for Achilles International Foundation, Schulman sought deeper meaning from this race, referring to it as a collective triumph and highlighting the inspiration drawn from fellow disabled athletes who have overcome similar spinal injuries.

Nev's reflections hinge on a favorite quote from Haruki Murakami, "Pain is inevitable. Suffering is optional," resonating with his journey of resilience. This marathon holds personal significance for Schulman, as a testament to both his recovery journey and the strong support from fans and community – symbolizing a celebration of collective achievements beyond individual feats.

Earlier, SSP wrote that Bruce Springsteen surprised the Montreal audience with a Ghostbusters performance.