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By Melissa Fleur Afshar
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A social media video that chronicles how a paralyzed father enthusiastically designed and built a dream bedroom for three of his children has tugged at heartstrings across the internet.
The viral video, which has been viewed more than 17.7 million times since it was first shared to TikTok on December 11, shared how loving father Dan Kotter—who was left paralyzed from the waist down following a construction accident in 2013—put together his three youngest daughters' princess-style bedroom over 12 months.
Newsweek spoke with Mr Kotter and his wife Andrea to learn more about the renovation project and the heartwarming response it has received online.
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"Dan and I met and were married after the accident that paralyzed him in 2013. I had 2 little boys, he had 2 little girls, and together we have had 2 more little girls. We have been married for 9 years and it has been a crazy, difficult, and extremely blessed ride so far," Andrea Kotter told Newsweek.
"We have a home with 4 bedrooms for the 8 of us and our teenagers were starting to feel a little overcrowded sharing rooms so we tried to think of a good solution. Dan and I designed a custom triple bunk bed slash playhouse for our three youngest daughters to share."
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"There was never any hesitation from Dan, only excitement at the thought of building a masterpiece dream room for his baby girls," she added.
The pair began working on the girls' bedroom in January and are hoping to finish up by January 2024. Andrea told Newsweek that even though he's been paraplegic since 2013, her husband has never backed down from challenges.
"Dan lives life by the motto he learned when he was in law enforcement for over 10 years: 'Improvise, Adapt and Overcome'," she said.
"When he gets his mind set on something he will figure out a way to make it happen. You will be hard-pressed to find someone as determined, tenacious and humble as Dan."
The mother of 6 went on to say that the three girls, who are aged between 2 and 12, are delighted with what their parents have been able to create so far. She described the trio racing to gather up stuffed animals, blankets and toys to take to their new room.
Andrea recalled their excitement: "Their giggles and excitement made all the hard work worth it and when we were putting them to bed that night they said, 'Thank you Daddy and Mommy for our new room!'"
Dan had fallen 30 feet in the construction accident that left him paralyzed a decade ago. His family has shared online that they "don't see" his disability, and regard him as a "hero".
Since it was shared on the social media platform on December 11 by @thewheelchairdad, the TikTok post has been liked by over 1.8 million users and commented on more than 60,000 times.
"Father of the year goes to Dan," one user wrote.
The TikTok post can be seen here.
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