Dad Takes Disabled Daughter to Prom, Finds $10K Check for ‘Dad of the Year’ in Mailbox Later — Story of the Day

Molly, a 17-year-old with a disability, mourned her mother’s death, feeling distant from her father, Danny, a truck driver her mother called a drunkard. After the funeral, Danny took Molly to live with him, adapting his small home to her needs, despite her limp and wheelchair use. Misjudging his nightly absences, Molly thought he was out drinking. When her senior prom approached, Molly cried, dateless, as classmates mocked her disability. Danny surprised her with a stunning dress and took her to prom himself, dancing with her in his arms, making her feel cherished. The crowd, moved by their bond, applauded Danny’s devotion. Unbeknownst to Molly, Danny

worked nights as a caregiver, saving for her surgery to walk again, a secret he kept after his divorce from her skeptical mother. The next day, a package arrived with a $10,000 check from prom parents, labeled “Dad of the Year,” to support Molly’s surgery. With Danny’s savings and the gift, the successful surgery restored Molly’s ability to walk. Danny quit his second job to spend time teaching her to cook, dance, and run. Molly later earned an architecture scholarship, leaving Danny proud, knowing his love transformed her life.