The real face of love: One son's journey to care for his paralyzed father

'In the past my dad took me to the doctors, now my dad is ill, I can't leave him behind.'

In an extraordinarily selfless act, one young man showed the world the true meaning of love.

LOS ANGELES, CA (Catholic Online) - When Zhao Delong was young, he suffered from polio. 

His mother had left him alone with his father, who cared for him each day.

When Delong needed to see a doctor, his father carried him on the back of a bike, as it was the best he could offer.

After a necessary surgery left Delong unable to walk, it was his loving father who became a full-time caregiver and rehabilitated his son, who slowly got healthier and learned to walk again.

Finally, after regaining his health, Delong was accepted to a University, but before he could attend, his father fell ill with a mysterious disease that left him paralysed.

When Delong saw his father's deteriorating condition, he knew what he had to do.

The healthy young man arranged to live at the University's dorms, packed his things and moved from his father's house - then returned and packed his father as well.

People's Daily Online reported the Delong men live together at the University's dorms, where the younger has become a full-time caregiver for the elder.

Delong does everything to ensure his father's comfort, from trimming his hair to washing and feeding him.

Delong was cured of a serious illness with help from his loving father, so it seemed natural for him to return the favor.

"In the past my dad took me to the doctors, now my dad is ill, I can't leave him behind," Delong said.

Becoming a full-time caregiver was not easy, especially for someone so young, but Delong refused to leave his father to fend for himself.

To be a better provider, Delong splits his time between a part-time job, school and caring for the man who previously dedicated his life to his son's well-being.

 How many of us can claim we would do the same for our parents? How many of us are blessed enough to have ever known a love as strong and pure as that between Delong and his father?

Please pray that life gets easier for both men and that God blesses us with a beautiful and strong love within our own families as well.

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