Caregivers for the late Father Bill Atkinson, OSA, are coming together Friday, Sept. 27, at Monsignor Bonner & Archbishop Prendegast High School in Drexel Hill for a “Strength of Others” event, writes Peg DeGrassa for the Daily Times.

Father Atkinson taught at Monsignor Bonner High School.

The beloved Augustinian friar, currently on the path to sainthood, became paralyzed from the neck down after a toboggan accident while in seminary in 1965. He was confined to a wheelchair and became the first-ever quadriplegic man ordained as a priest.

He died on Sept. 15, 2006, at age 60.

Following the accident the priest needed hundreds of caregivers to help him wash, dress and perform other routine tasks.

Two of his friends and caregivers, Richard Heron of Media and Mary Moody of Brookhaven, are inviting other caregivers for recognition on Sept. 27.

“All of these caregivers, especially some of the early ones like his fellow seminarians, laid the foundation of all that Bill’s life would be, instead of what his life could be,” Moody said. “We want to celebrate and honor these caregivers and let them know how special they are and acknowledge the role that their caregiving played in Father Bill’s life.”

Read more about the role of these caregivers in the Daily Times.