You Haven’t Come This Far To Fail: A Father Sends His Disabled Son to College

Last updated on: December 27, 2014 at 10:11 am by Tony Rossi

You Haven’t Come This Far To Fail: A Father Sends His Disabled Son to College 2014-12-27T10:11:28-05:00 Tony Rossi

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

A lot of parents sent their kids off to college over the past few weeks. For Chicago Sun-Times writer Alejandro Escalona, it was a proud but bittersweet time as he did the same with his son, Daniel, who suffers from Duchenne muscular dystrophy which slowly robbed him of his ability to run, walk, and move his arms.

The disease didn’t dim Daniel’s spirit or determination, however. He is starting school at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

His father reflected on life with Daniel in a recent Sun-Times article. Here’s an excerpt:

Our hearts have been broken so many times seeing your debilitating body diminish to a point now where you can move your fingers only enough to type into an iPad or dial your cellphone. Still, you have written papers, essays and newspaper articles without once complaining about your condition.

I have had the privilege of taking care of you as your body has weakened. I have bathed you, dressed you, carried you to your chair and moved you at night so that you can sleep comfortably.

For the next four years, you will live in Nugent Hall, a dorm designed and fully staffed to take care of you and 23 other students with disabilities. We are fortunate that U. of I. has a state-of-the art facility and a support network that will help you succeed in a competitive college….

…On Tuesday, we packed the van and headed to Urbana-Champaign with your mom and sister. You looked a bit nervous, but eager to start this new chapter in your life. We had a great time helping you to organize and decorate your room with posters of the Beatles and the Bulls.

One of the posters you chose particularly caught my attention. It reads: “Keep calm and carry on.” That is precisely what you have done. You have carried on in spite of incredible odds against you.

Then it was time to say goodbye. We kissed and hugged you before heading back to Chicago.

We don’t know what the future will bring. But as a relative put it, you haven’t come this far to fail, Daniel.

Read the whole thing.

Previous Post

August 23, 2012

The Ex Vivo Miracle

Next Post

August 29, 2012 God Loves Us Too Much To Let Us Live With a Void

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Act One American Idol Andy Griffith Show Audrey Assad Baseball Bible Books Catholic Charities Christmas Christopher Awards Christopher Closeup Christopher News Notes Current Events Down syndrome Education Father Jonathan Morris Father Keller Films Forgiveness Fringe Government Hallmark History Holidays Humor Inspiration Leadership Lost Marriage Media Medical Military Movies Music NY Med Once Upon a Time Once Upon a Time Parenting Patheos Movie Club Person of Interest Politics Pope Francis Prayer Pro Life Saints Senior Citizens Signed Sealed Delivered Special Needs Sports Three Minutes a Day TV Uncategorized Volunteering Women Youth

Select a Month March 2017 February 2017 January 2017 December 2016 November 2016 October 2016 September 2016 August 2016 July 2016 June 2016 May 2016 April 2016 March 2016 February 2016 January 2016 December 2015 November 2015 October 2015 September 2015 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 March 2014 February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012 October 2012 September 2012 August 2012 July 2012 June 2012 May 2012 April 2012 March 2012 February 2012 January 2012

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

Who was the patriarch whose faith led to the near-sacrifice of his son?

Select your answer to see how you score.

Joseph Jacob Isaac Abraham