One Family’s Love and Courage an Inspiration

Just as your story about the Phan family triggered a response from Nancy Torbitt, your article concerning her and her disabled son touched something within me. I would like to compliment you for that story, for you at once captured the depth of her pain and sorrow and her indomitable will to make a happy life for her family.

I have a great deal of empathy for Ms. Torbitt and the numerous other families I have heard about or am acquainted with who suffer successive tragedies in life. That empathy comes from personal experience, as I grew up with a sister who is mentally retarded and have remained close to a brother who has had multiple sclerosis for the majority of his adult life. It was so easy to believe I was immune from further tragedy, but life is not that simple. My beloved wife contracted cancer at the age of 41, and I watched her take her last breath three years later.

Stories like mine are not really that uncommon, and I have come to the realization that life is not fair and there are no guarantees. Each day is a gift, and it is up to us to find a way to maximize the beauty of that gift. Whereas I formerly believed life was irrevocably shattered, I now feel fortunate at the age of 51 to be able to raise two young daughters who are healthy and reasonably happy.

I was moved after reading about Ms. Torbitt because you essentially focused on her feelings and her hopes. Yet, when I finished reading the article, I realized I had been almost subliminally inspired by her courage and her spirit. I believe I can safely say there are multitudes of people in Orange County who were similarly inspired and who found a new strength to continue. I hope that in turn, Ms. Torbitt will receive inspiration from others, because it is a vital element of a continuous recovery and growth process which we all need.

Thank you for a well-written and meaningful story.

TONY D’AMICO, Laguna Niguel