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When Elio Navarro was 3, his mother would sit him on the dryer each day before school and tell him the same thing over and over: "You are going to be a very, very important person."
Navarro, now 23, has made those words prophetic. A computer programmer and Java developer with Verizon Data Services, Elio graduated with honors from the University of South Florida in 2000. He will earn a master's degree in business administration from USF in December.
He also finds time to serve as a tutor and mentor to high school students, and he played a role in creating a Web site for an organization that helps homeless children.
Free time is spent with his longtime girlfriend. He dreams of someday marrying her and having kids.
"I have it so good," Navarro said.
That assessment may not surprise you until you learn Navarro uses a wheelchair to get around. When he was 2, he was diagnosed with spinal muscular atrophy, a progressive motor neuron disorder that causes weakness in the arms, legs and torso. By the time he turned 11, he made the transition from walking to spending most of his time in a wheelchair.
"I told myself, "Listen, you're not going to be very successful trying to use your arms and legs, so you have to use your mind,"' said Navarro, who graduated from Gaither High near the top of his class and earned a scholarship to USF.
"I don't want people to feel sorry for me or say, "Wow, it's amazing what you've done,"' Navarro said. "I'm just doing what anybody can do."
His undaunted attitude and the support of his parents, Ilse and Elio Sr., are two of the reasons Navarro has had so many successes. But he also is quick to credit the Muscular Dystrophy Association, which has been a part of his life from the very beginning.
"They were the first ones who helped us when I was diagnosed with the disease," Navarro said. "They brought us into the family and showed us how to cope with it, how to deal with it."
Navarro's poignant story will be profiled during the annual Jerry Lewis Telethon this weekend. WFTS-Ch. 28 will broadcast portions of the telethon Monday. Those with cable and satellite dishes can see the entire telethon on Chicago superstation WGN beginning Sunday at 9 p.m.
When asked about the video profile, Navarro chuckled, because a film crew basically took over his house. They compiled eight hours of footage chronicling every aspect of his life: job, school and the $100,000 custom van he drives with a joystick. The 31/2 minute piece, however, will focus primarily on the relationship between him and his girlfriend, Jessi Rowen.
Navarro was 19 when he met Rowen, who was working as a counselor at an MDA camp. Now one of his greatest joys is returning to the camp as a role model.
"When I pull up in the van and roll out of there, show them the van, share with them my stories, I see their eyes light up," Navarro said. "It's great sharing with them the possibilities. The inkling that these things are possible makes them get excited.
"That's something I didn't have from the disability community."
There is no cure for spinal muscular atrophy, and Navarro's life expectancy is uncertain. Yet when he appears on the telethon - he flies to Los Angeles today - Navarro said he won't ask for money for himself.
"I won't ask that they help cure me," Navarro said. "I'll ask that they donate for the next generation. I want a cure for the children being born today so they won't have to go through the health problems I had to go through."
I think Navarro's story is going to inspire more than disabled kids.
That's all I'm saying.
- Ernest Hooper can be reached at 813 226-3406 or Hooper@sptimes.com