Every June, daughters, sons, mommies, sisters, brothers, and friends head to their local drug store to pick out the perfect card for someone they know that’s a terrific father. Some cards will make him laugh; others might make him cry (though he’d never show it). He’ll rest the card on the desk in his office, a smile crossing his face each time he recalls the kind, handwritten words written inside, punctuated with a “Happy Father’s Day.”

He’ll receive electronic gadgets, tools, ties, and socks. He might even get breakfast in bed. But the greatest gift of all that day is the reason why we celebrate him in the first place: his CHILD.

They say a parent’s love is the most powerful love in the world. You all know that. The love you feel for your children is deep and unconditional, ever growing AND ever present. You would go to the ends of the Earth for your child, and beyond if you could. And today, Dad, we honor you. We thank you.

The SMA community is overflowing with love for our precious children. The level of understanding between the parents runs deep. This is a special community, filled with special parents, and most importantly, special kids.

FightSMA invited a few special dads to share special Father’s Day story with each of you:

Mike Calise, Dad to Corinna
Cranston, RI
Corinna’s Angels (www.corinnasangels.org)

• What has being a Dad meant to you?
  Being a dad is a tremendous joy and responsibility. Your priorities change the second you have a child; you and your spouse share an overwhelming sense of love, gratitude and responsibility as a result of having a child together. Being a dad of a child with a disability is even more challenging but the rewards are so much greater. There is no greater feeling than sharing special times with my daughter, Corinna. I really appreciate every bit of fun that we have and every new experience we are able to share.
• What is your favorite thing to do with Corinna?
  I love to just hang out with Corinna and play the Wii or Nintendo or just watch her favorite movie or TV show. Corinna has an incredible spirit and great sense of humor that makes every minute with her enjoyable.
• Do you have a special message for the other dads this Father’s Day?
  Words of wisdom to other fathers: Appreciate and love your child and family like it could be your last day together. At the end of the day, there is no greater feeling of love than that which you share with your family.

Bill Strong, Dad to Gwendolyn
Santa Barbara, CA
Gwendolyn Strong Foundation (www.gwendolynstrongfoundation.org)

• What has being a Dad meant to you?
  Being Gwendolyn’s Dad means the world to me. Regardless of how short my time with her will be, I consider myself unbelievably fortunate to have been given the gift of time with my precious daughter. Over the past 2 1/2 years, I’ve learned more from Gwendolyn about myself and what is truly important in life than I had over the previous 31. Getting to meet Gwendolyn has changed my life, challenging myself to truly know her and always be present with her continues to fulfill me, and striving to provide her the quality of life she deserves and cherishing every second that I have left with her is and always will be my number one priority.
• What’s your favorite thing to do with Gwendolyn?
  My favorite things to do with Gwendolyn are anything and everything that sets off that soft, infectious giggle, inspires that sparkle in her eye, and strengthens that deep connection between the two of us. I love my “Daddy Saturday” walks together, finding new crazy adventures, reading her books, teaching her new things, our snuggle time, and being the last one she sees at night and the first one she sees when she wakes up. More than anything, I simply love spending every possible second — focused on the present — together with Gwendolyn.
• Do you have a special message for the other dads this Father’s Day?
  Happy Father’s Day to all of the dads who are fortunate enough to have an incredible daughter/son in their life like Gwendolyn.