Beautiful.
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This is the best of the series. Life celebrated! Inspired by this family.
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Such a pleasure to read of a man who looked adversity in the face and blew right past it. This is the type of Sunday Routine I enjoy reading about. Mr. Clark lives a life of purpose and meaning. Please showcase more people that truly are worth learning about and how they spend their Sundays, or lives.
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@Imma Thank you!! I agree 100% with your suggestion. Please NYTimes!
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Thank you for highlighting a Sunday Routine from someone who can teach us all a thing or two about grit. Mr. Clark is an inspiration!
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Like other commenters, my own Sunday Routine would not be the same without the New Times' Sunday Routine. And this is one of the best! What an inspiration. Like Mr. Clark, I had an incomplete spinal cord injury 8 years ago. I have been able to reinvent things to some extent, a return to work and consistent exercise. Perhaps the most astonishing thing about disability is that I now look at my life as much more of a gift. The realization that pain, limitations, and constraints can lead to new paths and opportunities has made my life much richer and more meaningful. It has also made it clear that all human beings will be facing these issues, disability just gives you the gift of becoming aware of it. I read Mr. Clark's book about his story while I was still hospitalized after my accident, and it provided so much encouragement and inspiration. It's great to get an update and see that he is doing so well. Congratulations Francesco!
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I’m the Mom of a quadriplegic. Hard work definitely helps one move forward in life but this young man did not have a complete injury. Hard work does not give you function.
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@Lindy Oelke I've got an incomplete c5,6 from an mva 40 years ago; i recommend inclining your son or daughter's bed www.inclinedbedtherapy.com. There are testimonials from folks w sci on that page and the engineer who's lifes work this is is happy to answer questions. There's no financial benefit to anyone in western medicine and it'll cost you about $15 for furniture risers. As you know there is no "cure" but this can alleviate some of the sequelae w/ which we are burdened. Good luck to you both!
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What an inspiring story!!! Really puts life's challenges into perspective for me. Thanks Francesco.
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New York Times’ Sunday Routine is the sole reason why I have a subscription. I look forward to reading this section of the Times every Sunday. Stories like Mr. Clark show what the human spirit is all about and what can be accomplished. Each Sunday, with a cup of coffee next to me, I read the Sunday Routine, and my life is all the better for it. Thank you, Mr. Clark. Your story is inspirational. God bless you.
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I look forward to the Sunday Routine column each week, it’s one of my favorite features. This week’s story, however, is probably my all time favorite. As a nurse myself, it is very inspiring to read about this young man’s journey and success in this light but still effective format. Now, off to check out the skin care line, given how great his complexion is for a 41 year old! :)
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I was sitting at my desk just now, taking a respite from studying, decided to flip through the NY Times, and came across this WONDERFUL article. Francesco, you have galvanized me into taking more ownership of where and how I want my lead my life! Seeing potential within yourself, investing in yourself, loving yourself- too many of us think we are doing it, but too few of us actually are. I want to count myself with you in the latter grouping. My sincerest thanks for sharing this part of your life with us, the unseen public, and for stepping up to the responsibility of being a role model for someone who needs you to be. As a frequent MET visitor, I hope to see your wheels spinning down the halls!!
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I am touched, inspired and moved by this article. Thank you, Mr. Clark, for sharing your life with us. I'm smiling.
Like a previous commenter said: hats off to you! And Sylvia, as well as your family.
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We should all be so determined to make good despite our limitations. It's stories like Mr. Clark's that make our world more bearable.
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Mr Clark will continue to push boundaries and succeed. He has a beautiful spirit. Beyond being incredibly handsome and successful, his skincare products are absolutely gorgeous - and the neck cream truly works. He is a treasure. Bravo!
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Now *this* is the sort of story I'd like to read more of. Mr. Clark's challenges and successes put things into perspective. Here's a man who believes in himself and loves himself. What an example to us all. All the best to you and your family, sir!
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Mr. Clark and his life story should be an impetus to all of us who are mobile and independent, to be grateful every single day for what we have - whether we do “gratitude journals” or any other form of spiritual reflection. He is astonishing and inspiring in so many ways.
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Did I miss where his age is noted? How old is he?
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@PJW
Third paragraph, final sentence: he's 41.
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@PJW. He’s 41, it’s in one of the lede sentences.
Why does his age matter?
5
He's an inspiring guy. Never give up trying. Hat's off, sir.
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I think the NY Times read my email. Thank you for bringing back the column title Sunday Routine. The article was hard to find for weeks! And, hopefully, this is a permanent move to the style section (and out of the NY section).
40
Agree! I always look for this column but it’s a bit hard to find... thanks for writing to NYT!
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@Concerned Citizen
It's been interesting to track the new movements of some sections in the NY Times. However, there are distinctions between the print and web editions.
On the website, a story can be placed under multiple sections, which can be interesting--but also infuriating. Example:, a story about a recent sexual assault case at Morehouse College was listed both as a "U.S." story and under the "Styles" section on line. That was illogical, inappropriate, and uncalled for.
On a lighter note, the "Metropolitan Diary" has switched from Mondays in the "NY" section of the NY regional print edition to the Sunday "Metropolitan" section--so appropriate!
At least for me in CT, the print edition of the Times still runs the "Sunday Routine" feature in the Metropolitan section, not the "Styles" section. That would make sense for the National edition.
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Mr. Clark, your story is an inspiration for me.
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Well you just put me to shame! So - I gotta get going . . . just that UWS is where I was born - near the Museum of Natural History - and is one of my favorite places. The best part of the neighborhood is closer to Riverside Park. The air is better, the view, the old trees, the mall and the bike paths. Good luck finding your perfect spot.
And you are an absolute inspiration and the effort you make is monumental.
Oh - the strides you have made with reclaiming breathing, speaking, small motor - this is just awesome.
59
This is what inspiration looks like. I have always told my children when they expressed self doubt that there are young men and women out there who spend hours just putting on a pair of socks as a metaphor for dealing with adversity. Everyday we should think about Francesco Clark and all the men, women and children with disabilities who take giant steps every day to live their lives and thrive. How we deal with adversity in all its forms is a measure of who we are as a people. Bravo Francesco, thanks for helping to teach my children.
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