If you ask David and Melissa Vaughn how they continue to overcome struggles, they would say through their children’s strength.
Originally a single father of one, D.Vaughn met his wife 11 years ago, and started a new journey.
“I was a single father for three years—you don’t hear that a lot,” D. Vaughn said. “Things got a lot better when we met.”
The Vaughn’s household is full now. They have three boys: David, 14, Gabe, 9 and Nathan, 7.
But what makes their journey inspiring is that even through the many obstacles that are thrown their way, they’re still focused on their experiences and majors to create a better future for their family.
M. Vaughn, Psychology major and D. Vaughn, Biology major, both agree that their two youngest sons led them to each of their majors. Gabe is autistic and Nathan is diagnosed with pseudomonas, a kidney bacteria disorder.
“The accident happened with the kidneys, and it was the biologist that found that germ and figured out how to fix it,” D. Vaughn said. “So I thought this is what I want to do—I want to figure out the best way to save people.”
According to D.Vaugh, his children’s struggles inspired him to open his light.
Similar to her husband, M.Vaughn chose to follow the path of psychology to further her understanding of the brain of autistic and handicapped children.
“I want to apply my biology to her science,” D.Vaughn said. “We’re a pair—you get one with the other.”
This isn’t the only obstacle D.Vaughn has experienced though. Before attending Sinclair, he didn’t have a GED or high school diploma. However, he said Sinclair has been nurturing, along with helping him stay motivated.
“This place is very inviting,” D.Vaughn said. “Sinclair opened their arms to me, and said I was smart enough to do this.”
He gives credit to the departments at Sinclair, as well as his kids because they continually push him to strive to do his best.
“Falling down happens, but you can’t stay down,” D. Vaughn said. “[My children] need me.”
He said at his weakest point, he found his strength with the help of Sinclair providing support, personally and academically. He said this school helped him understand his environment.
“You don’t always know why things happen, but intelligence helps you find reason and to explain how you’re getting through things,” D. Vaughn said.
This semester has been a rough ride, according to the Vaughns. Their kids come first, and then school. D. Vaughn said they had to put school on hold in order to take care of their children. Unfortunately, they were only able to keep up one class.
“It was a lot, we had to follow the class as it was moving, and catch up the work,” M. Vaughn said.
D.Vaughn said he will finish school, even if he has to take one class at a time. He currently only has 7 classes until graduation.
Both agree their kids help motivate them. D. Vaughn said they are all strong and wanting to always learn more in school. He said they all use their belief system to help them get through their obstacles.
“Science and hope. Science has saved my children [and] hope is what we all cling to, and that’s where you’ll find that strength,” D. Vaughn said.
He said he looks at his kids, even with these odds, and they give him harmony. They both agree that their family works as a unit because even through these struggles, each member of the family still goes to school and doctors appointments with a smile on their face.
“In the end, you look at your children and they’re hurting, and you look at each other as a couple and you try to figure out how to make it better—it’s really the most hopeless feeling you’ll ever have,” D. Vaughn said. “But if your children can find strength themselves, especially when they’re hurting, to just smile and be happy to see you, then you have to find the strength yourself to try to help them carry on.”
The Vaughns said at the end of the night all they have is each other and their love. They both agree there is so much to be grateful for—it’s just a matter of seeing the good.
Gabrielle Sharp
Managing Editor