Thank you so much for taking the time to tell us a little about your son.It comes across loud and clear just how proud you are of him and you have every right to be. Tell him a big CONGRATS and enjoy this wonderful day....

John,

Sometimes it takes hearing something like that to make me amazed at the world again. The pride you feel for your son is palpable and there is no doubt that he will go far in this life, disability or not. His accomplishments speak volumes about the amount of support and love he must have from his home life and you should feel good, not just for him, but for the fact that you've given him the room to do all of it.

You have a special place in heaven sir,

Griff

He won !!! $500, I did encourage him and learning to ride a bike with two false legs and one hand was never easy, if he fell off once he fell off one hundred time and always got back on it was emotional to see never to give up or give in. Computers beckoned and he would take them apart and put them back together, I went to use mine and he had taken all the functional bits for his own, oh how I laughed inside. Yes griff he is a survivor and a testament of what can be done with the right attitude with is attainable for all, it would be understandable if he complained and he is a positive role model for me and others.

A local charity is supporting his quest to continue training in swimming, and even the word proud does not begin to measure the delight all my children in each special way are contributing to our family and others.

John

Very cool John.

CONGRATULATIONS! John, tou must be very proud to be his Dad.

Best wishes for continuing success!

Kin

awesome accomplishments...he must have a great dad standing behind him cheering him on!

Thanks for the story John! It puts a lot of things into prospective in my own life.

John, that is incrediable. With so much dismal news anymore to hear something as great as that is AWESOME! Let your son know that I for one am proud of both you and him for his accomplishments. The both of you truly are inspirations to us all. Lets us all know that if we put our mind to it we can do anything with our new lifes! Thanks again for the AWESOME post.

Hank

John, this is a wonderful post! It is very heartwarming, and I just want to say that you write very well, very expressively. You should write a memoir...this is the kind of stuff that makes it to the New York Times Bestsellers list, and think of how wonderful it makes you feel to put it to words here...I would read it!

good to see your son won in his event for the Para Olympics .you take care...

John, Congratulations to your son. This is so awsome, what a wonderful son you have and a wonderful blessing!
You sound like a wonderful father who deserves to be so very proud of his son, I'm sure as your son is so proud of you too.

God's blessings to you!

Lotus

Great post John. Had my eyes welling up after that heart warming story. You have every reason to be proud of his accomplisments as well as your support.

You must be setting a great example! Congratulated him for us, and Keep us posted!--Mazy

Wow, that is amazing! I can't believe how much he is acomplishing!

I missed this post somehow - that is fantastic news!! So what has he moved on to now?? Thanks so much for sharing that good news story!

Tracy

im happy to hear that you have good news about your son, he is clearly no going to let any injury or disability hold him back, just reading that made me tear up a little, it makes me think that if your son can accomplish so much that hope might not be lost for me. keep us updated in any more accomplishments and once again congradulations.

This post is about us all and more than one individual, in what we can achieve with an improving and managed emphasis, we may not all be national champions nevertheless we all attain every day, our own gold medal of survival. Evolution intimates that we are the teachers of our children and for me my son is teaching me how to cope in adversity, through never giving up and having that just do it attitude, how could I not do it in his name for myself, if he can do this I am mandated to show an example.

Our tears are reflective of that eternal hope that whatever our ills we will survive, our children love us unconditionally and that flag of hope will never waver as we march forward. He is measured by what he says and what he does not say, he has more reason than I to complain and how do you become that strong at such a tender age.

Our goals are equally valid and even when times become tougher we have adapted to challenging circumstance, we have a winner in us all, it may be opaque and we should seek support and guidance to develop its visibility.

I meet talented children every day who have skills that go unnoticed, that momentary elation of success is infectious, it has been tradition for the last swimmer in a race to be applauded in a crescendo of emotion where partaking is seen as equally important and recognised. A day of that, is a roller coaster of emotion and never to be forgotten.

Make your goals today for tomorrow, acknowledge your achievements and be kind to yourself. If his story has encouraged anyone, then that is sufficient and I too share that welling up and one tear of joy down my cheek.

John x

That there are good parents like You in this world.Parents who can see beyond their childs disability and to the person within.The wonder of it all.That we love our children not because of,but in spite of any problems they may have.

You are a true testiment that a son says 'dad' and not simply father...

Better that society see the gifts that we all have, rather than a fleeting measure of our worth by the things that we have or not, the aesthetic continues to be a factor, I have befriended a homeless man who has more humility and humanity than those who deride his appearance and non conformity. An angel is disguise, even my younger children feel some responsibility for his welfare this Christmas, and I am overwhelmed by his kindness, he has nothing.

So I am not doing this alone, and am seeking the right teachers.

I hope in my lifetime we do see a step-change in equality for all.

John

this is such a wonderful post!!!!
it makes us all feel so overwellemed!!!
being a parent is the most wonderful experience any off us could possibly ever have.
i just love my kids!!!
so glad to see this post here.
well done john to you and you family!!!

LOVE P

What a wonderful story to read on this early Thanksgiving morning.

John, I really need to hear things like this. especially on a personal bad day. My problems are minuscule.
Thanks, Jim

Yes,I enjoy this thread...

And John,how was your friend (the homeless man) during the Holidays?

I hope you all enjoyed them

Hi thanks for asking Robin

He is called Alan and is seeing a counsellor today 8th, it was -6 here I was out Christmas Eve looking for him with some food and coffee, no luck. He has lived on the streets for 15 years and will not go to a hostel, he went to a private school and had his name embroidered on his clothes, lived if France for a while and was a manager in London. He does have some MH issues and my role is to support him in what he wants and not change him, even my son saw him in town and gave him some of his money, that made me so proud.

I am still unclear how his situation reflects on my own and gives it some perspective, I continue to try to help and not become intrusive, when we say thing could not be worse perhaps I reflect on his comment of how he does not fully understand how he is where he is today.

Jim, every situation is important to that individual and we should not diminish our own needs whatever they are, they are important to us, your 39 year journey is a testament to your own strength and character. Your kind words of support help us all and long may that continue, hope you are feeling better.

Have a better day, life is for living.

Take care John x

It's a funny thing...perspective is.I do hope that Alan found a warm,safe,and dry place to lay his head.I often think of the homeless and the people who have less than myself,and want so much to help in some way.I've always felt that was my calling & yet I know that I don't do enough to help.I don't have much,but I have so much-if that makes any sense.

I can almost picture you driving around looking for him..well actually I can picture it.In my imagination it would be snowing and the streets are pretty lonely and quiet Christmas Eve.The coffee steaming.It's too bad you didn't see him,on the other hand maybe he was enjoying himself.

Your son must have a bit of the artist in his soul(maybe his dad does too).How nice of him to give like he did.

Even as a kid in school,when our teachers would ask where we planned to be in 5 years I always felt like it was a silly question.Too much happened in my young life and I knew life could change in a heartbeat.Of course we can plan,as long as we remember to be flexable and bend with the wind.

Im so happy for what your son is accomplishing john....its really nice and overwhelming to read a story like this........

John - what a tremendous post! I felt my own heart pound with excitement, and my feelings of joy overflow for your son as I read his accomplishments. What a wonderful, wonderful son God has blessed you with! You too must be given a pat on the back for all your years of hard work in your teaching, guidance and encouragement for him.

You sound like a wonderful person yourself; not everyone today would take the time to look for a homeless man on Christmas Eve. I hope the counseling helps him, and I am sure he realizes what a gem he has in you!

Suzy

Suzy,
Yes I too at times become overwhelmed by it all, nurturing any child is a responsibility and non more so when that are disabled, they fly the nest and I still await his return with nonchalant aplomb, He has acknowledged his circumstance and making the best and more of his situation, he has that verve for life and he has developed that by his own effort and tenacity. In those early days we were apprehensive about his future and he is seen in what he can do and not what he cannot, nothing is unachievable and that is down to his attitude, if the current objective is unattainable, he works around that and adapts to every changing opportunities and new challenge.

I stepped back some time ago and we all watch our children step forward into adolescence, a fond and exciting time. He is his own person now and he has the acumen to do anything of his choosing and as ever I still cheer from the sidelines, welled with emotion and wonderment.

Take care and thank you for all your support.

John.

My son started his first job this week and I am so proud of his achievements, my friend Alan is Ok and I have to remind myself that this is his life style and even though he suggests how things will change, in reality my feeble efforts in tentative support seem inadequate, he asked to borrow my phone and has never asked for anything over this two year period.

I try to stay positive and acknowledge his situation and plight when as you say I do not want to be emotional in his company and feel that need to be strong for him. I too equate that homeless analogy you mention of others looking the other way and even saying inappropriate comments, it is a measure of me not to walk past, and face my own questions.

This is just a guy who has fallen on hard times and reflective of my own grandfather who’s outstretched hand of need was ignored at the time.

Take care and save those gloves.

John

John,

Thanks for updating us on your incredible son's success. Congratulations to both of you, to him, that he did not give up, and to you, for giving him support. What an achievement!

Your friend, Alan's story reminds me of that recent film, I believe it was called The Soloist, about a homeless, classically trained musician living on the streets of L.A. who befriended a journalist, and they became very good friends. Very heart warming indeed.

Please keep us posted about your son's progress.

best to all of you,

kin

Thank you John, for giving us a window into your world. As has been said, it is very emotional!

Looking around us, every day, there are persons who struggle and have greater burdens than my own ever thought of being. I look at their courage and the smile that they have and raise my own spirit.

Cheers this day - David

You must be very proud of your son, John. It is amazing what children can accomplish. I used to work with Special Needs Kids and going to their awards ceremonies always brought tears to my eyes. It has also helped prepare me for this part of my journey in life.

Give a hug for me please, and Thanks for the story.

Donna

In these difficult economic times, he has secured a temporary job in education, after a reasonable number of interviews; he has gained employment from the 30 individuals who applied. He does computer programming and network/Moodle ( virtual learning environment ) aspects. He is finding the acclimatisation difficult physically and the notion of how much to tell of his disability before it becomes common knowledge.

He is a grand lad, nobody could be more proud, he is my hero, lighting my path of how to overcome adversity and live a life.

All your support and kind words do help and I thank all of you.

Take care John

John, thanks for the update. You have every reason to be proud of your wonderful son. It is so uplifting to hear about individuals like him, who are not looking for excuses, but are able to overcome adversities.

Greetings and best wishes to both of you,

Kin

It is with much joy and relief that my tri-limbless son has been awarded a DLA award after six months of negotiating the reality of his specific needs, this will assist him to become more independent and cater to his mobility at home and within society.

John

That's very cool! Fantastic I'm glad that something has worked out that will allow your son to become much more independent.

"C"

That's great news! So glad your son will be more independent especially at a young age in his early 20's? Happy for you and yours. TC Charry

John - Thank you! I am very happy to hear of yours and his progress.

It is so wonderful to hear of your sons (and yours) great news. You both are such an inspirtation. When others are throwing in the towel, there are others pushing to get to where they want to be. All I can say is: excellent job!!

Congratulations for you and your son! I am sure this takes a bunch of stress off right there! Thanks for sharing such great news!!

Brenda

Thank you all, I have only just stopped crying uncontrollably, as Brenda said, it has been stressful and all that pent up emotion coming to the fore, he inspires me every day in his attitude and resilience and I wonder how I would cope with his disability at this young age. His support and provision are a team event and you are all part of that process in helping me.

John

I was very happy to read that John.

Your son is truly an inspiration. This is exactly the reason I have tried to hard to put my own pity parties to rest. To read your posts of your gifted son although dealing with his own disabilities is so inspiring. Your words express how proud you are of your son. His achievements are truly remarkable and I am in awe of this young man.
Really puts things into perspective for those of us living with chronic pain issues. We either sit back and feel sorry for ourselves or take a lesson in life from a young man with so many challenges, yet he does not let them stand in his way of achieving his goals. As a parent I am sure you have been on an emotional roller coaster for years. Heartbreaking on the one hand to know your son must deal with life with his disabilities. Yet learning something new everyday watching him flourish and become such an inspiration to so many. Your post has so touched my heart. Makes me proud of him and he is not my son.
So many young people today who could have such bright futures are just throwing them away.
I know for sure today although I had no sleep and am in alot of pain right now I am going to have a positive outlook.
Your child could sit around feeling sorry for himself yet rather than doing that he challenges himself each and every day to attain such high goals.
John, you deserve some credit here also, it says alot about your parenting skills and always encouraging him to work past his disabiities. Thank you so much for sharing this, I have learned some great lessons from this young man.
Jan

Jan,
We thank you for your kind words of encouragement and that was very honest of you to say the at times we all have moments of despair and pity which is understandable. As a disabled person my son my well be justified in feeling self pity and although that emotion should have some opportunity for acknowledgement and recognition, it should have some restriction of duration. Perhaps that sadness is the fore-runner to initiate change and the creation of happier times to come.

Setting and achieving goals for us is important and failure is more in the level of expectation rather than the concept itself, it may be perceived that this acceptance has come naturally and he has worked hard to be the person of his wishes or dreams. The malaise of pity never initiates in others the help we thought we are owed or warranted and it is a secondary restriction of our own making in using it longer than is necessary, this is a learning process and does take time.

It is equally unrealistic to be constantly positive as we are worn down in the condition that is a daily challenge, we as individuals have to see that more things can be achieved, those big goals attainable in small steps. Getting that balance of disclosure is difficult, only showing enough to illicit support and not divulging all our frailties and perception of needy. Courage is from within to challenge yourself every day, although he may have every justification to feel sorry for himself he has chosen a different path, the key for me is to provided him with help, support and encouragement to enhance him.

Sternbach the eminent PM doctor suggested that constant pity was a syndrome in itself perpetuated to support unmet need, emotional social ect. The overall objective to some improvement was to change our attitude, which formulated our traits of behaviour more beneficially as a consequence. It is hard to say which strategy will provide us with necessary support and encouragement.

He teaches me every day, he just does not know that.

Take care and many thanks.

John.

My son is now an online computer programmer with contracts in China and America; he was riding and fixing his bike today, a truly inspirational concept with two prosthetic legs and one arm, a humbling and emotional vision.

His epileptic fits have diminished and he is my life. 2nd anyway.

John a proud dad, husband and fool.

Congrats on your son now working and doing well with no seizures. All the hard work of being a parent pays off doesn't it? Thanks for the touching and I'm all teary, update and Happy New Year and a great year for you and family!

Pal Charry

I am so happy to hear the news. I know you have always been a caring and proud father.

This news is just something to make you prouder.

My best to you, your family and to your son, for this accomplishment.