November 14, 2005

Despite the hilly terrain, wheelchair-bound Charlie Cheney, freshman, said he knows God brought him to Corban.

“It’s a good fit spiritually, relationally, academically,” Cheney said.

About the only place Cheney can’t get to on campus is the second floor of the student center, which doesn’t have an elevator.

That’s about to change, however, because of Daniel Carlson.

Daniel, 12, has cerebral palsy. He’s been in a wheelchair since he was a toddler. His parents – Jim and Karen Carlson – were on campus recently, walking with Bryce Bernard, vice president of academics, when they happened to cross paths with Cheney.

“They were nice,” Cheney said. “They asked Dr. Bernard how hard it was to get around campus and he told them I could go anywhere I wanted to except the student center to play pool.”

Within days the Carlsons asked Corban President Reno Hoff via email to find out how much it would cost to pave a walkway to the second-floor bridge behind the Pavilion.

“There are two phases that can be done independently or as a group,” Dr. Hoff emailed back. “The first is the walkway from the bookstore to the bridge of the Pavilion. The cost for that part is $3,700. The second part is a walkway from the Academic Center to the bridge of the Pavilion. The cost for this is $7,675.”

Six hours later the Carlsons emailed back that they would like to do both, in honor of their son.

“While Daniel’s legs are not strong enough or coordinated enough to hold him, he has a bright mind and a sensitive spirit,” Karen Carlson wrote. “He accepted Christ when he was 4 and is growing in his knowledge and ‘walk’ every day. While we don’t know if college will be an option for him, I felt a real burden that access not ever be a problem should someone with like circumstances felt led to attend Corban.

“Thanks for your help in making this happen,” Karen Carlson added.

The walk will be named “Daniel’s Way.” A plaque giving the story of the name will be placed near the path.

“I remember Daniel from when I stayed at your house a couple of years ago,” Dr. Hoff emailed the Carlsons. “What a bright and full-of-life person he is. I am very happy that we could honor you and Daniel in this way. Thank you very much for making this happen.”

Work on the walkway is to start “soon,” said Tom Samek, director of Campus Care. Weather is an issue.

--By Karen L. Willoughby