Daniel Eric Stigall
10 Jan 1972–14 Aug 1994
Daniel was my older brother. In a life of much pain, he managed to bring us all a lot of happiness. In the end he brought us together as a family. He is an example of strength and dignity. By the time he was 11 he'd had 14 operations. He lived through operation after operation. Braces on his legs, scars, humiliation by classmates for being different. Yet it seemed to roll off his back. He was always content. He had only two dreams. To walk, and to be the first handicapped astronaut. Yet his dreams were taken away. His brain was wiped out by a doctor, who prescribed the wrong medication. But my brother was still a fighter. He lived 11 more years, bedridden. He still had his personality intact, even though he could not talk, walk, eat. This might sound like a book, but I have the need to let people know about him. He was truly special.