Support Daniel: A Light in Our Community

I have known Daniel for over a decade—first through the YMCA and later from townlake where I have passed him for years and years, always getting a good cheer, uplifted and bolstered by his positive light. Eventually, I began to stop and talk with Daniel and over the years he has become my friend.

Daniel is a very special person—if you have seen him on townlake, you know how generously he gives his positivity and shares his strength. One time my family and I took Daniel to Matt’s El Rancho for a dinner and it was like dining with a celebrity. Person after person approached our table to say hello. As we walked through the dining room, people’s faces lit up when they saw Daniel.

Daniel never wants to ask for help—and he never wants any one to feel sorry for him. He had four strokes and was in a coma for six months. When I first met him, he was not able to speak words—and was not able to move one side of his body at all. Now Daniel speaks and makes jokes and makes me laugh. He is also tender and kind and sometimes tired of his limitations. He has taught himself to move the other side of his body and can now stand and take steps.

To me, Daniel is quite truly amazing. I think what is the most amazing about him is that he makes other people smile. He lifts them up. He shines his light.

I learned on Friday that Daniel’s wheelchair broke. He is navigating how to get a replacement, also waiting until pay day next Friday. I have often thought about how much people would probably like to support Daniel as a way of saying thank you for sharing his light so universally—and I think now is a great time. If you are able to, please give a little love to Daniel who has given so much love to all of us.

**UPDATE: I met with Daniel this afternoon, trying to help him navigate the system and get a new wheelchair—

It turns out Daniel has been working for more than six months to get a new wheelchair to replace the last (now broken) one.

After many phone calls today, I found out that the person who was working with Daniel at Reliable Medical no longer works there. And the person who was working with Daniel at TX Workforce is on extended leave.

I am hopeful we can get this process moving again—thank you each for the generous donations. Together, we will make this happen.