Nilanjana Sanyal

Daddy

But if my spirit is strong I know it can’t be wrong.  (Vangelis: Odyssey)

The White Man Shall Battle People in Other Lands…
He was battling himself.
As the twin towers fell, and as America panicked, John Simpson, a fire-fighter rushed. He was rushed to the hospital.

A splinter had fallen on his right leg. John had been critically injured. Doctors at the Seinfeld Center for Emergency Medicine had to amputate the right leg. Following emergency medical procedures, John Simpson was brought home.

John was forced to give up his job. He was not even on a plan when the accident
occurred. To make matters worse, he had to send Josh to school. And a special school that too. Josh was born hearing impaired and couldn’t speak either.

John’s wife soon left him for a wealthier man. Richard Goran was a millionaire. Heather Simpson and her fiancé would often drive down to meet Josh in school. They had plans for the boy. But Josh never liked Richard.

John Simpson lived an extremely painful life. He longed to go back to his job, but that was his past. Every one understood his pain, but no one did. Except for Jesus…And Josh…

Josh had talent for music. And his father realized that. But he was helpless. About both Josh’s disability and that of his own, and social security. Josh was given cochlear implants and with great difficulty, John often took his son to the therapist and then to ‘Daffodils’, a special music school. 

But Mama was missing from most sessions.

Heather and John Simpson ultimately filed for divorce.

It was now a battle over custody of the child. Richard Goran, the millionaire and Heather Simpson Vs John Simpson, the disabled amputee without a job.

Over the custody of Josh Simpson, disabled. Potential musician. Son of Heather and John Simpson.

It was a fierce battle. Both the legal counsels were equally convincing in their arguments.

According to Richard Goran’s legal counsel, a disabled father (referring to John
Simpson) was not physically, mentally or financially capable of ensuring a good life for a disabled child. This could ruin the child’s future…

John Simpson’s lawyer argued that no matter what, John was the biological father of the child and as the biological father; he had the right to take Josh home. As for the disability, it was only an accident and John was doing every thing he possibly could to give a new life to his child.

Although he could no longer drive, he was arranging to take Josh for therapy and to music school. John’s counsel further explained that he was spending a lot of time with Josh, taking personal responsibility for and interest in Josh’s school, supervised play and music classes. John was also planning to hire a music teacher for Josh. John had also given Josh cochlear implants and was taking him for therapy out of his social security.

As if this wasn’t enough, Richard Goran’s legal counsel accused John of being a ‘sisee…’

And that was almost enough for the day when Josh Simpson spoke the first word of his life…

Daddyyy…

It was now all over. As Josh pointed to John, it was clear who had more rights over the child. The court didn’t have to decide.

As they emerged, there was a big crowd outside the court room. This was sure a most momentous decision in the history of fatherhood.

In the history of disabled fatherhood…

Perhaps.