Disabled dad determined to attend daughter’s graduation

This Sunday is a day that Michael Robinson has dreamt of - his older daughter Areke will be graduating from Holy Childhood High School and he is over the moon. 

Ever since the graduation date was announced, the disabled father said he has been exercising even harder, hoping that with the aid of a walker, he will be able to walk beside Areke on her special day. 

“I have used the walker before, but using it can be painful at times because some of the nerves in my body are damaged, so it can be painful and gives off a shocking feeling. But I am willing to endure that. This is a special day for my little girl and I know she would want this as well," he said. 

Almost 17 years ago, Robinson was shot in the back by one of two men who were having a dispute in his Olympic Gardens, St Andrew, community. The horrific  incident robbed him of his mobility. Areke was just three months old at the time. 

Robinson credits his two daughters for keeping him grounded during his depression era while stating that his heart is bursting with joy. 

"This is a feeling that I can’t even explain how I feel, but it brings a real joy to me to know that I am here same way. God did this because I didn’t have to be here based on my circumstances. Graduation is one of the milestones that every parent looks forward to and I am going to experience this. Mi get shot up and mi never must deh here, enuh, but God allow this to happen  and mi just can’t wait for Sunday to come," Robinson said. 

He admitted that it was hard providing for his daughters after his ordeal but he never gave up on them.  

“Areke held her head high and did really well in school. She sat nine subjects in CXC and her average is always very good," he added. 

Currently, Robinson makes a living as a merchandiser but said the majority of his earnings comes from TikTok, where he has thousands of followers. He thanked his supporters for their assistance towards the graduation package.

"Her graduation package was $40,000 and my TikTok family help me out with that and I want to thank them from the bottom of my heart. I ensure that I did this for her because my daughter really deserves this. She would stay up really late at nights to study and she is a really good child,” he said.