18 | NOVEMBER 7 • 2024 J
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n Sept. 22, 2022, Max 
McColl’s life changed 
forever. The 25-year-
old Farmington Hills native was 
riding his dirt bike to the store and 
not wearing a helmet, which was 
reflective of his self-admitted “fast” 
lifestyle at the time. During that 
ride, he was the victim of a hit-
and-run crash.
McColl was in a coma for 10 
days, and doctors weren’t sure if he 
was going to survive. The incident 
left him with a traumatic brain 
injury, a brain bleed, broken legs 
and more. He required dozens of 
surgeries and lost his ability to walk 
and talk. 
But he survived. And in the two 
years since the accident, McColl 
has worked tirelessly to get better 
and make the most of his second 
chance at life. 
McColl put in the work with 
around-the-clock rehab and a 
different type of therapy five days a 
week. The work has paid off. 
He was discharged from his 
rehab facility in November 2023. 
He’s back to walking and talking 
and is able to live on his own. 
He continues physical therapy, 
occupational therapy, speech 
therapy and more on a weekly 
basis. 
McColl’s recovery has gone so 
well that he currently walks 2-5 
miles a day and recently walked a 
5K for a brain cancer fundraiser 
with one of his physical therapists 
from Detroit Receiving Hospital. 
He has received endless support 
from family and friends during his 
road to recovery. 

McColl’s mom, Kim Teweles, says 
her son has a new lease on life after 
the accident. She says he knows 
how lucky he is to be alive — and 
his smile and overall positive 
attitude are proof of that. 
He is making good choices, 
surrounding himself with good 
people and not living as fast of a 
lifestyle as he did before. And that’s 
fine by him. The accident was a 
wake-up call. 
Before the accident, McColl 
was an aspiring photographer and 
videographer. He was three months 
away from getting his degree in 
film production and digital media. 
That passion, put on hold, is one 

he’s still planning to pursue. But 
now his second chance at life has 
given him a new dream — sharing 
his story and inspiring others. 
He will do just that at the Max 
McColl Wellness Exhibition on 
Nov. 10 at 12:30 p.m. in Orley Hall 
at Congregation Shaarey Zedek in 
Southfield. 
McColl will share the story of his 
survival and his passionate drive 
to help others in their mental and 
physical health journeys. Following 
his discussion, he will host an 
educational wellness fair featuring 
several organizations that specialize 
in various areas of wellness 
who will be on hand to provide 

information and support. 
Some of those partner 
organizations include Maple Grove, 
JFS/JARA, BBYO and Friendship 
Circle (UMATTER). 
 This event is open to everyone 
but geared toward teens and young 
adults.
McColl has shared his story in 
front of audiences a few times now, 
and he’s looking forward to doing 
it again. 
“If I can help one person, it’s a 
success,” he says. 

To register for the free event, visit https://

shaareyzedek.shulcloud.com/event/the-max-

mccoll-wellness-exhibition.html. 

The Max McColl Wellness Exhibition takes place Nov. 10 at Congregation Shaarey Zedek. 
A Second Chance at Life

DANNY SCHWARTZ SENIOR STAFF REPORTER

OUR COMMUNITY