When his daughter was born, Patrick’s life forever changed — and not in the traditional sense.
You see, Sarah Jane lost 60 percent of the rear cortex of her brain — the result of being violently shaken by her baby nurse.
“I’ll never forget, the first day we took her back to the hospital and they were trying to stick an IV in her,” says Donohue, who lead a successful career as a political consultant. “Tears were rolling down her face. Her mouth was wide open but because of the brain injury she couldn’t cry. From that moment on I knew I needed to be the voice of Sarah Jane.”
Ever since, Donahue has been advocating for children with brain injuries. In 2013, he founded the International Academy of Hope straight out of his own living room. Today, it's the only school in New York City that specializes in kids with brain-based disorders. Currently, the school has 24 students and 50 full-time staff members, causing a year’s tuition to run $135,000. The cost is reimbursed by the New York City Department of Education, but only after parents sue, claiming that there is no public school to serve their child’s needs.
This incredible video, courtesy of Newswell, is something everyone should see, as it explores the lives of Patrick and Sarah Jane, and other students at iHope. What an amazing father, for not only helping his daughter, but also children and families everywhere. Please SHARE!
