Walking away from dreams of walking again; Black donates money to young disabled boy

Brecon Vaughan is the recipient of  Dan Black’s generous donations. He currently uses a walking frame to get around.

Brecon Vaughan is the recipient of Dan Black’s generous donations. He currently uses a walking frame to get around.

Walking isn’t an ability people are consistently grateful for. When it’s taken away, the victim scrambles to get his or her ability back. But when opportunity arises, who’s willing to give it away so someone else can benefit?

     Dan Black, 25, was riding his bike to work in South Wales when he was hit by a car, becoming paralyzed below his chest. He later suffered a stroke during recovery that caused him to lose use of his right arm. He now requires care 24/7.

     With the support and donations of his community, he raised £20,000 ($30,000) for new stem cell surgery that could make walking a possibility for him once again. However, it would be five years before he could have the surgery.

      Even with the money raised for his own surgery, he decides to give it all away, just to help someone younger with more opportunity than himself.

     Black donated his money to 5 year old Brecon Vaughan who suffers from a rare spastic diplegia cerebral palsy. Side effects include stiffness in his legs, the inability to balance, and poor coordination. He currently uses a walking frame to aid him with his disabilities.

     The generous donation was made by Black, who is currently wheel chair bound, decided to give his money away when he realized Vaughan had more of an opportunity to walk than he did.

    ‘I know for me that things aren’t going to get better any time soon,’ he said. ‘I just wanted to do something that could help someone whose life could get better.

   ‘Brecon can definitely walk if he has the surgery. I wouldn’t wish being paralysed on anyone, so if I can help someone walk, I will.’

     Vaughan’s operation, called dorsal rhizotomy, would cost near £60,000, not including the cost of continuously flying back and forth to America and paying for hotels.

     The operation is a neurological surgery, which involves electrically stimulating the nerves located at the base of the spine that control his legs. Upon completion of the surgery along with months of physiotherapy, he should be able to take his first unaided steps and run and play with friends, just like any other child his age.

     Vaughan’s parents are more than grateful for the generous donation. After setting up an online donation site, they have raised more than 115% of the funds needed for the surgery. They will never forget the selfless donation of Black.

     “Dan goes to bed dreaming he can walk and run. But I agree with him, Brecon’s only five and he should walk,” Black’s mother said.