Special Needs Dad Takes 90% Pay Cut to Give Daughter Adventures of a Lifetime

Years ago, John Silk, from South London, ran his own successful recruitment business. He was a Porsche-drivng businessman with a lucrative career and not a lot of free time. Then one day he gave it all up to spend time with his daughter.

Dad swaps Porsche for school bus to spend each day with Down’s Syndrome daughter https://t.co/N9dfEk4FKW pic.twitter.com/3ZjFnG1iw9

— Daily Mirror (@DailyMirror) November 26, 2015

Vicky Silk has Down syndrome and a heart condition called Eisenmenger’s syndrome. Doctors gave her a life expectancy of 15 years when she was just 8 months old, according to the Mirror, but have now extended it to between 35 and 40 years. She’s 22 years old.

John Silk used to see his daughter only on weekends after his separation from Vicky’s mom, but then Silk decided that wasn’t enough. He and his wife, Gerry, quit their jobs and began saving and doing odd jobs to take Vicky on trips around the world. The change was a 90 percent salary cut for Silk, according to The Daily Mail.

The couple began using coupons and got part-time jobs to help save up. Silk also worked as a school bus assistant so he could earn some extra money and see Vicky more every day.

Businessman takes 90% salary cut so he can see his Down’s syndrome daughter every day https://t.co/1cgMWYRi4k pic.twitter.com/IYfp23HYuZ

— Daily Mail U.K. (@DailyMailUK) November 26, 2015

Over the last 14 years, the family has gone on 24 trips to 15 countries. They’ve been to Hollywood, gone scuba diving, swam with dolphins, flown over an active volcano and more.

“I wanted to show Vicky the world,” Silk told The Daily Mail. “All I wanted was to see her smile and gasp in amazement. So every penny I earn now pays for a holiday for her… we couldn’t be happier. Vicky has taught me what life is about.”