Meet Conner!

In signing up for this fundraiser you are joining a global community of like-minded individuals in celebration of small victories that add up little by little to achieve huge results while supporting my brother, Conner, in his recovery from a spinal cord injury.

The funds raised here go directly to helping him work with movement professionals in the progression towards his goals of recovery and resources and equipment.

Thank you so much for being here and for your continued support. You are why he continues to strive.

About Conner's Injury

On January 22, 2020 (one month before his 30th birthday) my brother, Conner, sustained a life-altering spinal cord injury.

While swimming in Puerto Escondido, Mexico, before a friend’s wedding, Conner was caught by a wave and slammed headfirst into the sand. He later described hearing a distinct crack, his C4 vertebra fractured, his C5 burst, shifting his spinal column and leaving him paralyzed from the neck down.

Given the severity of the injury and the remote location, every minute mattered to get him into emergency surgery. Family, friends, and community jumped into action, making calls across continents to surgeons, hospitals, medical flight companies, insurance providers, and embassies, working across time zones and languages.

This global representation of the human spirit has surrounded my brother as a testament to who he is as a person. Although time blurs when thinking about those hours, a serendipitous introduction to the head of neurosurgery at ABC Medical Center in Mexico City, is clear as Tahoe blue skies in my mind.

With the help of our family friend, we called the personal phone number of doctor De Leo Vargas. First he asked “how did you get my phone number?” After mentioning the names of the beautiful souls of a 6-degree of separation, he asked, “What can I do for your brother? When will he arrive at our Medical Center?”

This collective effort has been the foundation of Conner’s recovery and remains a vital force in his journey towards independence.

As his older sisters, Kylee and I have seen Conner’s resilience throughout his life. Letting us dress him in tutus, paint his nails, and together adventuring through the wilds of the Sierra Nevadas, San Francisco, and beyond. But witnessing him through surgery and post surgery, communicating with medical teams in a second language, maintaining unwavering optimism, and meeting each moment with focus, strength, and a steady dose of humor, showed the measure of who he is. He is grounded, powerful, and unbreakable.

The Story of Poco a Poco

On the one-year anniversary of his accident, our Auntie Aileen had the great idea of doing something celebratory and positive in honor of Connor’s resilience and continued growth as an SCI athlete.

“Let’s do a virtual 5K,” she suggested, “to celebrate Conner’s effort and give everyone a way to move with him.” A way to honor how far he’s come, celebrate our bodies, and recognize victories, little by little.

Today, the Poco a Poco 5K has grown into a global, annual celebration. People walk, run, swim, ski, or simply move their bodies in Conner’s honor, joining from different states, countries, and time zones around the world.

Beyond the annual event, this fundraising campaign remains open year-round as a form of ongoing support. Each year, we also host a date-specific 5K on the anniversary of Conner’s accident.

What Poco a Poco Means

During early rehab in Mexico City, Conner met a man named Luis who, after a stroke, had once been able to move only his eyelids. Watching Luis walk on a treadmill, he shared the simple philosophy that has guided Conner ever since: “Poco a poco.” Little by little, every day.

This fundraising event carries that spirit, honoring meaningful victories and the steady, daily efforts that create real change over time, no matter how small.

What Your Donations Support

Every dollar raised goes directly to the specialized care Conner needs to continue building independence:

Adaptive physical therapy & occupational therapy
Movement specialists
Personal training at an adaptive gym
Equipment and tools not covered by insurance
Long-term therapeutic resources

This care is ongoing, essential, and expensive. Your support genuinely changes what’s possible for him.

Huge thank you for the support in helping Conner reach his goals. You are the reason he is able to accomplish them, Poco A Poco!

Poco a Poco: A Fundraiser For SCI Athlete, Conner Slevin

By Brawl for a Cause

Poco a Poco: A Fundraiser For SCI Athlete, Conner Slevin

In celebration of victories of all sizes and in recognition of SCI athlete, Conner Slevin, and his fighting spirit.

Team Members