Wheelchair Tombstone

Photo courtesy of Ability Found
@simone10 (54180)
Louisville, Kentucky
November 29, 2015 5:48am CST
I saw this picture on facebook and was curious to know if it was a real photograph. You know how it is on facebook, you never know if what you are reading is real or not. So I googled it and sure enough, this photograph was real. In 2000 Ernest Robinson designed the tombstone for his son Matthew who was blind and paralyzed. Matthew died at eleven years old and his parents wanted to honor the joy and happiness he brought into their lives by showing the spirit of their son. I find the picture alone very touching without even knowing the story behind it. It brings both tears and happiness to my heart. You can read more about the article here:
When Ernest and Anneke Robison’s son died, they wanted his final resting place to represent what his trying yet inspiring life embodied -- hope. Matthew developed a number of disabilities whe
22 people like this
15 responses
Judy Evans
@JudyEv (364874)
• Rockingham, Australia
2 Dec 15
That is an amazing tombstone. I don't really see how anyone could object to it - but then it takes all sorts, doesn't it?
2 people like this
Sharon
@simone10 (54180)
• Louisville, Kentucky
3 Dec 15
I think it's amazing too and just don't get why someone would object to a parents love for their child.
1 person likes this
Sharon
@simone10 (54180)
• Louisville, Kentucky
6 Dec 15
@JudyEv I do too and I think it really shows the child's spirit.
1 person likes this
Judy Evans
@JudyEv (364874)
• Rockingham, Australia
4 Dec 15
@simone10 I think it is a wonderful monument for a child.
1 person likes this
Boingboing
@boiboing (13152)
• Northampton, England
29 Nov 15
Sadly around here I think such an unconventional tombstone might not be allowed.
2 people like this
mllister
@SuzieDQ (42)
• United States
29 Nov 15
We have cemetaries like that aboard the military base here where everything has to look the same.
1 person likes this
Sharon
@simone10 (54180)
• Louisville, Kentucky
30 Nov 15
@boiboing There probably are restrictions in some cemetaries regarding the style and size of headstones.
Sharon
@simone10 (54180)
• Louisville, Kentucky
1 Dec 15
@SuzieDQ It's that way where my mother is buried. All the headstones have to be flat to the ground.
Anna
@LadyDuck (486346)
• Italy
29 Nov 15
I like the statue, this is a wonderful tribute to their child.
2 people like this
Sharon
@simone10 (54180)
• Louisville, Kentucky
30 Nov 15
I think so too. You can just feel the spirit of the child.
2 people like this
Gary Marsh
@garymarsh6 (23828)
• United Kingdom
29 Nov 15
It is a fitting tribute to their son! It looks like he is reaching up to the heavens and somewhere better!
2 people like this
Sharon
@simone10 (54180)
• Louisville, Kentucky
30 Nov 15
It really does and I think it is a beautiful tribute.
1 person likes this
PaintsOnSlate
@PainsOnSlate (21846)
• Canada
29 Nov 15
I'm having a tough time with my eyes lately, every time I see something like this they fill up with water,,, What a beautiful reminder of a loved child.
2 people like this
Sharon
@simone10 (54180)
• Louisville, Kentucky
30 Nov 15
I know what you mean. I was the same way when I first saw it.
2 people like this
Reine25
@Lucky15 (37391)
• Philippines
29 Nov 15
It showed how much they love their.son. and wanted to tell the world that they will always remember their son
2 people like this
Sharon
@simone10 (54180)
• Louisville, Kentucky
30 Nov 15
It is a great way to remember a child although I'm sure it was expensive and not everyone could afford something like that.
Morning Girl
@salonga (27775)
• Philippines
29 Nov 15
It shows how great his love for his son Matthew. So touching!
1 person likes this
Sharon
@simone10 (54180)
• Louisville, Kentucky
30 Nov 15
Yes, you can see and feel the love he had for his son.
1 person likes this
scheng1
@scheng1 (24649)
• Singapore
29 Nov 15
That is certainly very captivating and creative. While it cannot lessen the pain of losing their son, they definitely have a way to make their son known to the world at large.
1 person likes this
Sharon
@simone10 (54180)
• Louisville, Kentucky
30 Nov 15
No, it wouldn't lesson the pain but it does bring them joy and that is what is important.
rebel_woman06
@SIMPLYD (90717)
• Philippines
1 Dec 15
Oh that was so nice of the parents to be forever reminded of their deceased disabled but playful child . Here in the Philippines , some tombs also depicts the favorites of their deceased love ones . There was one in the news that the family put a different paint / design on the tomb of their father who loves many good things. Last year, it was the Starbucks logo since he loves drinking his coffee from there . For this year , the family is thinking of what they will paint / design the tombstone
1 person likes this
moondebi
@moondebi (1199)
• Bangalore, India
3 Dec 15
Filled my mind with sadness in this 'World Disability Day'. A nice memoir from the parents to their beloved child.
1 person likes this
Sharon
@simone10 (54180)
• Louisville, Kentucky
6 Dec 15
It is a little sad but it makes me feel joy as well.
sofs
@sofssu (23662)
•
29 Nov 15
That tomb stone seems to celebrate his life and hope that he brought to his parents.
2 people like this
Sharon
@simone10 (54180)
• Louisville, Kentucky
30 Nov 15
Yes, it does. The son was in a wheelchair and now that he is in heaven, he is free.
1 person likes this
mllister
@SuzieDQ (42)
• United States
29 Nov 15
I think it is a nice tribute. It will let visitors to the cemetary know a little bit about their son.
1 person likes this
Sharon
@simone10 (54180)
• Louisville, Kentucky
30 Nov 15
I also think it is a nice tribute. I never would have thought of having a headstone like that made.
ElizabethWallace
@ElizabethWallace (12069)
• United States
29 Nov 15
Graveyards are for the living. So whatever makes the family happy is fine, but I think the people whose loved ones are nearby might not agree.
1 person likes this
Sharon
@simone10 (54180)
• Louisville, Kentucky
30 Nov 15
That could very well be the case.
1 person likes this
ElizabethWallace
@ElizabethWallace (12069)
• United States
30 Nov 15
@simone10 I like things to be serene. So I might be one of the people to be unhappy, although I think their tribute is wonderful (for them).
k2705
@k270585 (157)
•
30 Nov 15
It certainly is different, but whatever makes the Family happy and helps them.
Lee Ka
@kaka135 (14970)
• Malaysia
30 Nov 15
Yes, I do feel the sadness and joy when looking at the photo as well. No matter how, children do bring us love, hope and joy. The father is very thoughtful of designing the tombstone.