Parenting

My Kid The Rock Climber

“Behind every incredible kid, there’s an amazing parent cheering them on from the sidelines. In Fatherly’s new series “My Kid The…”, we’re putting the spotlight on these kids chasing their dreams despite the odds — and the ways their parents support them, no matter what. In this episode of “My Kid The…”, Fatherly explores the... View Article

by Fatherly

“Behind every incredible kid, there’s an amazing parent cheering them on from the sidelines. In Fatherly’s new series “My Kid The…”, we’re putting the spotlight on these kids chasing their dreams despite the odds — and the ways their parents support them, no matter what. In this episode of “My Kid The…”, Fatherly explores the world of Kellan Tilton, a 6-year-old paraplegic cancer survivor who doesn’t let anything stop him from being a child.

Kellan was born with neuroblastoma and is paralyzed from his waist down. The Maine native is an exceptional child for his age: He skis, he rock-climbs, and he even sprints in his wheelchair. His positivity and attitude toward life are nothing but inspiring to his family (he has seven siblings), his parents, and anyone he encounters. He is also an ambassador for the St. Baldrick’s Foundation (a nonprofit that helps find cures for children with cancer), and he travels to DC often to convince lawmakers to support a bill funding childhood cancer research.

In this episode of “My Kid The…”, alongside our host, Joshua David Stein, we take Kellan and his dad, Dan Tilton, rock climbing (which is nothing out of the ordinary for them) at The Cliffs gym in Long Island City. Together we explore their journey as father and son and how Dan encourages Kellan to just be a kid and try different things as much as possible.”