MDFF Client Wins “Heart of a Father Award”

Dewon Darden Proves that a Father’s Heart Knows No Boundaries

 

June 16, 2005

INDIANAPOLIS —It’s difficult being a father in 2005. But, it’s even more challenging when your child has an incurable and debilitating disease like Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. Finances are stretched to the limits and emotions are easily frayed.

It’s enough to make many fathers abandon their responsibilities. But, you won’t hear excuses from Dewon Darden. He’s taken his role as a father to heart and is raising two young men to be outstanding citizens despite difficult odds.

The staff at the Muscular Dystrophy Family Foundation was so inspired by his commitment to his boys, the oldest of whom (D.J.) is a client of MDFF, that they secretly nominated Darden for the first annual “Heart of a Father Award,” which will be given each Father’s Day by the Fathers and Families Resource and Research Center. And, he won.

“I’m really humbled that they chose me,” said Darden. “I can think of dozens of other great fathers that are deserving and that I look to as role models.”

Darden is among a select handful of fathers that will be presented the award at a luncheon ceremony this Friday with Indianapolis Mayor Bart Peterson at the NCAA Conference Center. Winners must act as “positive and influential role models and be actively involved in their children’s lives,” according to the application criteria.

He has certainly done that even when others might not. Darden made a pledge to his family that no matter what happened, they wouldn’t have to face D.J.’s disease without a father.

“To Dewon, being a father isn’t a duty, it’s a privilege,” wrote Judith Duncan, president and CEO of MDFF, in her letter nominating Darden. “And, he does it well! In spite of living daily with the knowledge that his oldest son will never be able to climb a tree, go hiking or provide him with a grandchild, Dewon treats both boys with the same love and respect.”

The award-winning father embraces every aspect of fathering from volunteering with his son D.J., who plays wheelchair power soccer, to being consistent in his love and discipline with both boys to volunteering with MDFF. He even earned Associate’s and Bachelor’s degrees from Indiana Wesleyan University, while working full time, so that he might be able to earn the kind of money it takes to raise a son with Muscular Dystrophy.

“As a father, you always wonder if their making the right decisions and doing enough for your family,” said Darden. “This award is really a nice affirmation that I am on the right track.”

Even without the recognition, though, you could be sure that Darden would be just as happy knowing that his family is well taken care of and that their home is filled with the warmth of a father’s love.

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About the Muscular Dystrophy Family Foundation®

Established in 1958, the Muscular Dystrophy Family Foundation® (MDFF) is a national non-profit organization, headquartered in Indianapolis. MDFF provides adaptive equipment and emotional support to individuals and families affected by one of the more than forty neuromuscular diseases. MDFF does not conduct research and does not hold an annual telethon. MDFF strongly believes it is extremely important that each of its clients lives an independent and productive life each day. Having the proper adaptive equipment and emotional support available ensures that can happen for the families served by MDFF. For more information, please contact MDFF at (317) 923-MDFF or visit www.mdff.org.

 

About the Fathers and Families Resource and Research Center

The Fathers and Families Resource/Research Center is a not-for-profit organization whose mission is to build a noble legacy of fatherhood – improving the life chances of children by assisting young fathers in achieving self-sufficiency and in strengthening parental involvement. The Center’s program’s and services embody parenting education, employment counseling, career planning, job placement, retention services, GED preparation, anger management, and personal finances. For more information, please visit www.fatherresource.org.