A Father's Love: Man, disabled son walk long 1/2 mile
WILMETTE, Ill. (WLS) -- Don Simmons and his 30-year-old son, Eric, are inseparable.
The two are joined together by an extremely rare birth defect called Angelman Syndrome. Eric is severely mentally and physically disabled. That's where fatherly love comes in. Even though it's difficult for both of them, the two walk a very long half mile six times a week.
"Well, you know they say you lose it if you don't use it, so that's what I think would happen. He'd lose his muscle tone," Don said. "Then he'd be in a wheelchair for the rest of his life."
Don's not going to let that happen. So during the nicer weather, they walk in Wilmette's Gilson Park. In the winter, they walk indoors at the mall. They're a tug-of-war walking team. Don digs in and leads while 200-pound Eric pulls back.
"He loves it. He loves to be out and loves people," Don said. But Eric doesn't get as many chances for that as he'd like.
"The State of Illinois doesn't provide many services for people with mental disabilities. They're rated at 47 out of 50," Don said. "That study was done by the Cerebral Palsy Association."
Don is a retired musician. His wife works full-time to support the family while Don cares for Eric- and supports him with one foot in front of the other.
Mayo Clinic: Angelman syndrome
