A carefully planned act of kindness recently brought together a boy and a U.S. Air Force veteran.
Diego Mercado, the 9-year-old son of U.S. Army Capt. Jason Mercado was born with amniotic band syndrome (ABS), which affects his lower right leg and multiple digits in his right hand. Colton Read, a former airman, lost his legs in 2009.
Read presents Diego with his new recumbent trike.
U.S. Army photograph by Maj. Jamelle A. Garner.
The path of these two warriors intersected when the organization Heart Songs for Veterans (www.heartsongsforveterans.org) picked up on GoFundMe plans initiated by Diego’s family.
Diego’s dad, along with family, friends, and community members, created the GoFundMe page to raise funds for a new recumbent bike for Diego.
“I didn’t want Diego to not be able to participate in wounded warrior events,” said Mercado.
Heart Songs for Veterans founder Jill Pavel recalls hearing about Diego through a mutual friend on social media.
“I immediately thought about having Colton present the bike, since I am currently working with him and other organizations to get him a service dog,” said Pavel.
In a small ceremony, Read presented Diego with a newly outfitted recumbent three-wheeled cycle, replacing his 3-year-old trike that he outgrew. Donna Dye, an employee with the tactical gear store at Lackland Air Force Base, also gave Diego a camouflage-patterned uniform, complete with his name, 1st Lt. rank, and American flag.
“Looking at Diego, I am sure he has his own challenges in his daily life, yet he continues to reach out to help veterans,” said Read. “It’s everyday people, challenged by difficult circumstances, who are brave, knowing that they could easily be defeated but still continue forward.”
Outfitted with a prosthetic leg when he was just 8 months old, Diego has been on a mutually beneficial adventure with several wounded warriors since his father was stationed at Fort Hood, Texas, in 2012.
According to the senior Mercado, Diego has always looked up to wounded warrior amputees as role models of what he can achieve. Mercado also says that Diego watches his father perform his daily duties as a soldier and wants to be just like him one day.
“I just want to thank you guys for everything,” said Diego, who showered both presenters with hugs.
Sgt. Michael Roux placed his own U.S. Army South Galleon patch and 10th Mountain Division combat patch on the shoulders of Diego’s new uniform.
“Now your uniform is complete,” said Roux.
With the support of wounded warriors like Read, family, and friends, Diego knows he is not disabled, just differently abled, as he continues to overcome challenges in his path.
This article was based on an original story by Maj. Jamelle A. Garner.