Missing limbs after botched abortion, now a world swimming champ

[Michie]

Ernie Gawilan managed to survive an attempt to end his life, and has gone on to become a world swimming champion.​

Some children have a terrible start to life, but there’s a real fighter inside of them that can help them overcome their difficulties and inspire others. This is just the case for Ernie Gawilan, the Philippines’ first ever gold medalist at the Asian Para Games.

The impressive young athlete survived his mother’s attempt to abort him. However, as a result of the attempt, he was left missing both of his lower legs and with an underdeveloped left arm.

To make matters worse, after his birth his father abandoned the family, and his mother died from cholera just five months later. The baby was left an orphan, but his grandfather stepped up to care for him.


Later on, at nine years of age, the youngster met businessman Vicente Ferrazzini, who encouraged the grandfather to send Gawilan to Our Lady of Victory Training Center for people with disabilities. There he was looked after by the Maryknoll sisters of St. Dominic.

A future swimming champ​

Continued below.

Missing limbs after botched abortion, now a swimming champ

Ernie Gawilan managed to survive an attempt to end his life, and has gone on to become a world swimming champion.

aleteia.org

 

[RileyG]

Lord have mercy! Glory to God!

 

[Ave Maria]

That is amazing that he is able to become a swimming champion while dealing with such a disability. That is definitely an amazing story! Glory to God!