by Kayla Krasner Hannigan
Kayla (right) with her mom Jackie and dad Billy.
Four years ago, my mom met this guy in a wheelchair named Billy. I did not like him at all. It wasn’t because he was in a wheelchair; it was because he was getting too close to my mom. But as he started coming around more often, I got to know him better. Then he asked my mom to marry him and now he’s my dad.
It never bothered me that Billy is in a wheelchair. Why should it? He does everything you and I can do even sitting in a wheelchair.
He plays many sports: swimming, softball, sled hockey, and he even skis. When he swims he uses both his arms without his legs. He swims better that way. When he plays softball, he sits in a special wheelchair with wider wheels. He bats with one arm, not both. When he plays sled hockey, he sits in a bucket with two sticks that are shorter than the regular ones. They are a combination of ice picks on one side and a shooting stick on the other side. When he skis, it’s just like sled hockey.
Billy can also drive. When he drives it’s basically the same, but he has hand controls. When you push down on these metal bars, it releases the gas and when you push forward it hits the brakes.
Honestly, why should you judge people like my dad any different. So what if they sit instead of stand. My dad is paralyzed and he does more than anybody that can walk.
When I grow up, I want to be just like my dad. Even though he’s in a wheelchair, he’s funny, smart, kind-and he’s my HERO!
Kayla Krasner Hannigan is 12 years old. Her dad is Bill Hannigan, senior Membership consultant for United Spinal. She wrote this essay for school.
Hey, kids!
Did you write an essay or make an artwork, maybe for fun or maybe for school, that you want to share with readers of Action? We’d love to publish your creations! Send them to:
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Managing Editor, Action
be in action! United Spinal Association
75-20 Jackson Heights 11370-1177
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