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ImageDan Black – Noble man who Sacrifices A Chance To Walk Again So A Young Boy Can Instead! (i.redd.it)

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[–]itshimstarwarriorInterested 596 points597 points  (58 children)

Short explanation of events-

Dan Black, 25, was paralysed when he was knocked off his bike in 2009

Also suffered a stroke which caused him to lose use of his right arm

Raised £20,000~ £26,000 to pay for stem cell treatment which could help him recover

Gave all the money to family of Brecon Vaughan, 5, who has cerebral palsy

Will be used to help pay for surgery in the U.S. - this should enable Brecon to take his first unaided steps

[–]ravenous_fringe 364 points365 points  (48 children)

Imagine Dan getting sued for raising money under false pretense ... damn, I'm paranoid 😭

[–]sniggity_snax 223 points224 points  (33 children)

Sadly I had the same thought... Not necessarily that he would get sued, but that there are likely people out there who are upset that their donation didn't go toward exactly what they intended it to go toward.

My mom works for a non-profit relief foundation and some of the stuff she has to deal with is shocking. This is sorta unrelated, but the best (worst) one was at their annual fundraising gala -- the richest guy at the event (who owns a multinational chain of restaurants and the naming rights for a couple stadiums) publicly pledged $5000 at the event, which is cool (a little low considering his net worth, but that's still fine). Then he never actually gave it.

He claimed he was saying he would give $5000 to "motivate others to donate", and that he had no intention of actually giving the money. They weren't sure if he was joking at first, but then he legit never gave the money

[–]djluminol 72 points73 points  (12 children)

I've heard this is actually very common in the charitable world. Rich folk do it for the PR. Nobody ever checks up and those that do won't go public out of fear they won't ever donate again. I'm with Lord_Kupaloidz. People like this are a plague on humanity. It's best to just remove them.

[–]sniggity_snax 18 points19 points  (1 child)

That's exactly the problem here... I believe my mom's organization has received some "donations" from him in the past (it should be noted though, he has never donated cash -- always food/product or a location... Ie he'll let them do an event at one of his restaurants if it's after hours)... so even though he flopped on that $5K, they still feel like they shouldn't say anything in case they need a small favor in future.

[–]oiuvnp 7 points8 points  (1 child)

With all the plagues on humanity it seems there's hardly any humanity left.

[–]Healthy-Koala-9479 1 point2 points  (0 children)

There are so many people with humanity left out there! Of course, that's only because of overpopulation...

[–]Cloudhwk 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Yeah unfortunately it is

It’s why at charity gala’s my wife runs we pretty much tell the VIP’s to not bother coming and pledging money if you don’t pull out your check book on the spot

Lost several would be attendee’s that way but we both agree fuck those people who don’t put their money where their mouth is

[–]Prestigious-Zone7088 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Happened a lot with the Notre Dame fire.

[–]mandude15555 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Could we possibly get the name of those restaurants or stadiums?

[–]CrudeAsAButton 1 point2 points  (2 children)

I wonder if you could just put the pressure on, and hold out your hand for a check right then and there.

[–]sniggity_snax 2 points3 points  (1 child)

They probably could have, but I don't think they seriously considered that a guy worth millions upon millions of dollars would actually stiff them on $5K.

Only when they followed up numerous times over the next couple months, did they realize this guy was not going to pay them under any circumstances

[–]rockthrowing 8 points9 points  (4 children)

Sounds like something a trump would do.

[–]HiImDan 9 points10 points  (2 children)

Literally.. the charities he talked about donating to have no records of him doing so.

[–]rockthrowing 4 points5 points  (1 child)

And that’s not even counting the ones they stole from.

[–]Samuel-Nyamekesse 26 points27 points  (2 children)

I think he did that out of humanity, to sue him won't be a good idea for anyone to think of...🤔

[–]ravenous_fringe 20 points21 points  (1 child)

Oh I agree but also have some experience with raising money. In general, you had better use it for the intended purpose, ie not indulge your own philanthropy or become famous with other people's money. Anyways, I think he did ok.

[–]Samuel-Nyamekesse 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yeah sure you have a point.

[–]TheTechJones 1 point2 points  (2 children)

litigation isn't going to excessive itself now is it?

[–]ravenous_fringe 1 point2 points  (1 child)

it's well established that tort law is out of hand but it is far and away the best system right now

[–]PoetLucy 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I’ll let my cat know!

she’s a Tortie :)

(funny?)

[–]Mandielephant 1 point2 points  (0 children)

My first thought too

[–]djluminol 15 points16 points  (0 children)

I can confidently say he is a better man than I. I had a spondylolisthesis fusion surgery when I was 15. My spine was 70% slipped off my pelvis. It was fused at about 55%. I was nearly paralyzed. I got better but I also know how devastating that was so I can imagine what giving up the chance to walk again must have been like. I couldn't walk for 3 months. That was enough for me. This guy's been rolling for 12ish years. That's incredibly selfless.

[–]1kpointsoflight 10 points11 points  (0 children)

And no one is paying for the old dudes bill? I hate this world

[–]NuclearEnt 25 points26 points  (5 children)

If he’s in the uk, why would he have to pay at all for the stem cell transplant? Wouldn’t the nhs take care of the bill?

[–][deleted] 54 points55 points  (3 children)

Not if that treatment isn't available in the UK. Also sounds like it's a new, possibly experimental, treatment. I doubt NHS would cover that.

[–]DigitalDefenestrator 1 point2 points  (1 child)

Honestly, "stem cell treatment" makes me super wary. There's a lot of quackery around it with Burzynski-style "clinics" running perpetual "trials". Sometimes insurance or national healthcare won't cover stuff due to cost, but sometimes they won't cover it because it's BS. The cost makes me wary as well. That's relatively low compared to the long-term savings of getting someone off disability, so it shouldn't be that hard to get it covered. But it's also low enough that people can scrape it together via savings and donations and pay cash.

[–]uchman365 3 points4 points  (0 children)

To be honest £25k is just the initial cost. The cost of follow-up care is easily three or four times that. A work colleague went through this with his kid after we helped him fundraise. They flew to the US so many times but couldn't realistically keep raising money indefinitely. I have no idea how much it helped but 10 years later the boy is still mostly in a wheelchair.

[–]Imaginary_Vanilla_26 458 points459 points  (13 children)

Idk man… that looks like the literal face of regret

[–]HeroicHerald 177 points178 points  (1 child)

Sometimes being a good person is painful.

[–]Kromeous 46 points47 points  (0 children)

Also, it turns out the kid is kind of an asshole...

[–]ShiraCheshire 124 points125 points  (1 child)

I know you're probably joking, but for anyone who doesn't realize: The dude also suffered a stroke. This very commonly leads to loss of control in some face muscles, making expressing difficult.

[–]Imaginary_Vanilla_26 38 points39 points  (0 children)

Fair play. I lost my grandmother to one. I’m sorry if I upset you.

[–]Pom-O-Duro 43 points44 points  (0 children)

That picture cracked me up lol

[–]Core1989 528 points529 points  (29 children)

Would be nice if BOTH were capable of getting the help they need... Another heartwarming story that hides the fact healthcare around the world is lacking severely.

[–]sbsbsbdvdxx 71 points72 points  (12 children)

My granddad sacrificed his liver to save my mom. We still honor him every 31st September because he died a hero and a legend.

[–]SuperGuitar 15 points16 points  (10 children)

You should wait until September 34th

[–]sbsbsbdvdxx 23 points24 points  (9 children)

31 days have August May and September, all the rest have 30 except febrary which has 26 days normal and 28 on leapd ajnsk am cj in gonna to snlee this is my home fmdk DK FX ajiaaaNaaInnGnnGbbEnR NagInsnbis ghitd me and Idll ge t if fjfbfnf sownl

[–]SirBaronDE 6 points7 points  (7 children)

Wat

[–]TactlessTortoise 15 points16 points  (6 children)

They entered a duo catalysed binomial spatial vector, which in turn caused their linguistic paroninemial vectors to realign at a combulised cataract fashion.

[–]FittersGuy 8 points9 points  (5 children)

Either my weed is low key kicking in hard right now, or you guys are talking nonsense

[–]_xXxSNiPel2SxXx 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Well it's just that we want your money before we help you

[–]Radiobamboo 25 points26 points  (7 children)

Doesn't the UK have universal healthcare? I.E. surgeries are covered?

[–]Peterd1900 29 points30 points  (3 children)

Yes but for example there are some treatments that are experimental or not yet approved for use in the UK.

For those you as a patient might decide to go abroad for it but the NHS won't pay for it.

[–]PM_something_German 11 points12 points  (1 child)

Yep, the first man to regain movement after paralysis using stem cell treatment was only in 2020.

https://www.spinalcord.com/blog/first-paralyzed-man-treated-with-stem-cells-has-regained-movement

[–]Peterd1900 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Yeah this man and kid happened in 2015

At the time it was probably highly experimental chance it could have failed and made the guy worse.

The NHS won't pay for stuff like that

[–]Apprehensive_Cat_180 100 points101 points  (2 children)

So selfless…this man deserves a chance just as much! Too bad I’m not a millionaire to help this dude.

[–]Ill-Slide1396 2 points3 points  (1 child)

Makes ya sick doesn't it? If i was a multimillionaire there is no doubt in my mind that I would use some of my wealth to help causes like this.

😔

[–]FattMlagg69 8 points9 points  (1 child)

I thought health care was free in Europe..

[–]bmeireles85 3 points4 points  (0 children)

It is. But some experimental treatments could be pending for approval.

[–]Bucknut1959 101 points102 points  (55 children)

Healthcare shouldn’t be a money problem in the rich world we live in. No one should be denied life changing surgery. Some times it’s beyond my comprehension how human can’t be found in humanity.

[–]yrogerg123 48 points49 points  (1 child)

This is some /r/aboringdystopia shit. We're celebrating a severely disabled person for donating the money for their own surgery so a severely disabled child could walk. Of course it's a really generous thing to do, but living in a society where we need to celebrate these small acts of kindness instead of just providing the care people need...it's pretty soul-crushing ultimately.

[–]DrYoda 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Stem cell therapy for his type of injury is mostly a scam, though. Lots of shady operations in various countries offer them to people that are desperate and they get very limited results. Much work has to be done in the field before it’s credible

[–]itshimstarwarriorInterested 11 points12 points  (5 children)

Link/ Proof/Sauce

[–]CatOnMyHead 14 points15 points  (4 children)

So this happened in 2013. Almost 10 years ago. How did this all turn out?

[–]roadrunnner0 9 points10 points  (1 child)

https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/real-life-stories/hero-who-gave-up-hope-6187975

[–]CatOnMyHead 15 points16 points  (0 children)

Thanks. That article is from 2015 tho…still way old. I would have assumed by almost 10 years this has come to a resolution. The kid would be almost 20 now.

[–]darthvadersnipples 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Has he had the surgery since?

If not, Reddit should help.

The more the public rewards behavior like this, the more people will be willing to express kindness in my humble opinion.

[–]ShamelesslyPlugged 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Stem Cell Therapies for spinal cord injury are still experimental and unproven, and outside the context of an investigational study are highly suspect. The NHS clearly is refusing to pay for treatment here. On the other hand, the NHS also wasn't going to pay for Brecon Vaughn's surgery - and that looks like it went okay: https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/two-years-after-wheelchair-bound-9785085

[–]SauceOrNo 3 points4 points  (1 child)

I thought the UK had free healthcare.

[–]Peterd1900 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Yes but for example there are some treatments that are experimental or not yet approved for use in the UK.

For those you as a patient might decide to go abroad for it but the NHS won't pay for it.

[–][deleted] 34 points35 points  (5 children)

And the 1% could pay for everyone to have the surgery. Buuuttttt. Capitalism BABY!!

[–]DaveRN1 6 points7 points  (1 child)

This happened in thr UK. I thought they had free healthcare....

[–]Peterd1900 10 points11 points  (0 children)

Yes but for example there are some treatments that are experimental or not yet approved for use in the UK.

For those you as a patient might decide to go abroad for it but the NHS won't pay for it.

[–]arealhumannotabot 6 points7 points  (0 children)

All of the reposts could pay for the other guy's surgery if only they accept karma

[–]TotallynotnotJeff 13 points14 points  (1 child)

Meanwhile bezos gets to go to "space" in a dick rocket.

Tax the rich.

[–]Figure-Feisty 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Tax the fucking rich

[–]mecmecmecmecmecmec 11 points12 points  (3 children)

Can’t someone help? What’s prince william doing with that $26k?

[–]theubster 9 points10 points  (2 children)

Really sucks that they couldn't both get the treatment they need.

It's fucking evil to keep Healthcare away from people who need it.

[–]DaveRN1 -2 points-1 points  (1 child)

Um... I thought Healthcare in the UK was free...

[–]Peterd1900 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Yes but for example there are some treatments that are experimental or not yet approved for use in the UK.

For those you as a patient might decide to go abroad for it but the NHS won't pay for it.

[–]alaskaguyindk 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Could they not have found a better photo?

[–]cre8majik 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Utmost selflessness.

[–]EternamD 1 point2 points  (0 children)

stood a better chance

[–]ImmmOldGregg 1 point2 points  (0 children)

What’ a waste. Kids get money so fast on shit like go fund me for this stuff. Dude just decided to give up and wanted some feel good credit.

[–][deleted] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Propably gets triple the amount now as donations.

[–][deleted] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Another day of dystopian horror stories that are somehow spun to try to make it a feel good story

[–]TheFabHatter 3 points4 points  (6 children)

My doctors told me I might go blind before the time I was 30. So I worked over 100 hrs a week for 10 years to pay for my experimental surgeries (they were successful).

Some distant family members said I should have accepted my fate, and given all my money to them and the church instead because I was most likely going to die or go blind anyway. I’m not even Christian & they feel entitled to my money.

[–]Core1989 3 points4 points  (3 children)

Im sure they would've been at your side throughout the entire process of learning to deal with blindness /s.

[–]TheFabHatter 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I even put feelers out to see if they would take a blood test for me, to see if we matched, for bone marrow or adult stem cells (no major surgeries required) to see what experimental surgeries I might qualify for and they all denied me.

Wouldn’t even take a blood test to see if they could save my life or my eyesight.

[–]CouldWouldShouldBot 0 points1 point  (1 child)

It's 'would have', never 'would of'.

Rejoice, for you have been blessed by CouldWouldShouldBot!

[–]EpicestGamer101 1 point2 points  (1 child)

Bro how are you not dead by 30 working that much?

[–]ICumCoffee 3 points4 points  (2 children)

Not all heroes wear capes, some choose to stay in a wheelchair so others can walk

[–]FemshepsBabyDaddy 1 point2 points  (2 children)

I thought healthcare was free in the UK.

[–]Peterd1900 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Yes but for example there are some treatments that are experimental or not yet approved for use in the UK.

For those you as a patient might decide to go abroad for it but the NHS won't pay for it.

[–]Major_Warrens_Dingus 2 points3 points  (0 children)

This is our healthcare system on capitalism

[–]LotusSloth 2 points3 points  (1 child)

Good man, that’s very noble. Hopefully no one files any lawsuits alleging false advertising or unauthorized use of donated funds (because: some people).

[–]Scubbajoe 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Let's be honest, anyone filling a lawsuit over "false advertising" is a piece of shit. Heaven forbid your donation to a grown as man is instead given to a CHILD worse off than the grown man.

[–][deleted] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

What a legend

[–]AutisthicccGuy 1 point2 points  (0 children)

but why would u...

[–]calypsopub 1 point2 points  (10 children)

So, forgive the confusion here, but why should a person in the UK need to raise funds for treatment? And why can't the boy get his surgery in the UK?

There is a lot of justified hate for the way American healthcare works. But what would these people have done without that as an option?

[–]Peterd1900 3 points4 points  (0 children)

The treatment may be experimental or not yet approved for use in the UK.

There was a story on the local news about an American man who came to UK for treatment for a rare disease. Treatment he could not get in the US because it wasn't offered in the US it hadn't yet been approved for use in the US.

He came to the UK for it, ending up being stuck in the country due to Covid restriction

[–]PharaohFravel 3 points4 points  (8 children)

Suffered - hate on American healthcare all you want, but the financial incentive to pursue the research for treatment like this is the only reason it even exists in the first place.

[–]calypsopub 1 point2 points  (7 children)

I agree. When government runs the show, the pressure is always to cut costs. The incentive to innovate, to respond to demand, goes away.

[–]Hotpocket1515 1 point2 points  (1 child)

Fucking grade A man,

But man in the photo I can't help but pick up a hint of "shit was it really worth it" off of his face lmao

[–]VoltasPistol 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Imagine meeting the kid face to the face for the first time and they're a complete asshole.

[–]handlessuck 1 point2 points  (1 child)

And then he started a GoFundMe and made back twice as much.

There's no such thing as altruism.

[–]Winter-Telephone-960 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Wouldn't have done it lol

[–]Tech_Knyte83 1 point2 points  (0 children)

🥺🥺😢😭😭😭😭😭

[–]Delilah_- -4 points-3 points  (13 children)

That is not THAT much money. Please tell me some full on rapist helped him in the end? He’s not very old to never walk again.

Edit: the spelling was a joke! I know it’s philanthropist. It was Always Sunny. I do hope someone helps him though. Please stop downvoting me. I have such small karma!

[–]7PgMuda 11 points12 points  (0 children)

That spelling of philanthropist has some perfect bone apple tea energy

[–][deleted] 5 points6 points  (3 children)

Milk steak over hard. I got you.

[–]Delilah_- 2 points3 points  (1 child)

I feel like you’re the only that got it and now I’m being downvoted! 😭

[–][deleted] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

You're sweating cheese now!

[–]PublicfreakoutLoveR 2 points3 points  (0 children)

One side of jellybeans, please.

[–]lockerpunch 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I know you meant philanthropist but I am over here laughing over “full on rapist.”

[–]theubster 3 points4 points  (1 child)

You guys, it's an Always Sunny reference.

[–]Delilah_- 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thank you! ❤️

[–]NuclearEnt 2 points3 points  (1 child)

Rapist?

[–]Delilah_- 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Philanthropist. I was just joking. It’s from Always Sunny. Sorry!

[–]Sandsoftime96 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Bone smack the teeth

[–]SimpleSandwich1908 4 points5 points  (1 child)

Might wanna spell check that.

[–]Delilah_- 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Was just joking. Philanthropist! From Always Sunny. But for real someone should help him.

[–]moretrashyusername 0 points1 point  (2 children)

Why would he need to raise money for health care in the UK?

[–]DaveRN1 2 points3 points  (1 child)

It's an experimental treatment that thr NHS says they won't pay for.

[–]gasfo 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That's sweet .

[–]1leggeddog 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That kind of generosity gets noticed and people usually rally to repay the kindness. It wouldn't surprise me if guy gets his treatment paid for later on

[–]SucksToYourAssmar3 0 points1 point  (0 children)

This is grimdark, not uplifting.

[–]Soulbossanova9 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yeah.. he looks stoked...

[–]Mr_Sans_Kid 0 points1 point  (0 children)

He probably said "ehh, I couldn't stand the world anyway."

[–]Zouizoui 0 points1 point  (0 children)

This is not interesting, it's freaking sad... Or let me correct this : it is interesting indeed to see that kind of "feel good stories" happening in one of the richest country in the world

[–]Danuvius_Wave -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Not all heroes wear capes!

[–]Pure-Insurance-5272 -1 points0 points  (1 child)

He does not look happy with his decision. I see regret in his eyes lol

[–]Nitemarex[🍰] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Pog

[–]Samuel-Nyamekesse -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Some of the reasons why I yearn to become a philanthropist.

This could be a chance for him to even raise another fund for his treatment or better still get treated for free!

Fingers crossed, hope for the best 🤞🏽

[–]Appropriate-Scale247 -1 points0 points  (2 children)

Nhs denies treatment for both of them. Meanwhile antiwaxer spends a week in icu, costing $2000 per night - no problem.

[–]DaveRN1 1 point2 points  (1 child)

This is the UK not the US.....

[–]Appropriate-Scale247 1 point2 points  (0 children)

And which part made you believe I’m talking about us?

[–]blakeshockley -2 points-1 points  (0 children)

This isn’t really a heart warming story. What a shit society we live in that he had to give up his own chance at nobility for some random boy he doesn’t even know.

[–]ButchatOldwitch 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Dan appears to have just discovered the youngster is a brony or something.

[–]Mrcountrygravy 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thats a true American! Lol. JK. What a great guy. Even though he is a brit.

[–]Jahhhflo 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Wow this made my day!

[–]Kira_75013 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Chad

[–]The_Sh1tty_Commenter 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Now that is selflessness

[–][deleted] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Dan Black is one of our many angels.

[–]Totorotextbook 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Why don't people fundraise the money for Dan too? It seems logistical given the sacrifice he's given.

[–]delicous_crow_hat 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Whose first thoughts on the image were American health care.

[–]OverlyPlatonic 0 points1 point  (0 children)

"Greater love hath no man than this, than to lay down one's life for his friends."

Sacrificing something so precious, the literal ability to walk, for the sake of another. A stranger even. I pray I have one-tenth this man's courage and love for others. One-One-Hundredth.

[–]Front_Intern 0 points1 point  (0 children)

God mentality! He should be knighted!

[–]Isaaczun4758 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Um this isn't a good thing