Terrell has told us a couple of times how he gets exasperated by people who don't appreciate or take advantage of the opportunities they have.
During one visit, he recalled a high school classmate who decided to get a GED instead of graduating with the class "because it was easier." Terrell's voice rose with emotion as he remembered what he thought at the time: What's stopping you from graduating? You slammed a door that's open to you.
For Terrell and Dominique, reaching the milestones of youth required persisting through pain. So everything was much harder for them than for so many others blessed with good health.
For Terrell, graduating high school was a goal that spurred him on -- a light shining past the pain. He pushed his body almost beyond its limits to reach that goal.
"I got my diploma," he said, "but instead of partying with everybody, I went to the ER the next day."
Laura Ungar has been the Courier-Journal's medical writer since 2004. Major projects have examined Kentucky's poor health, black lung disease, cervical cancer in India and the health insurance crisis among America's middle class. You can follow her series on 
Sam Upshaw, 46, of Louisville, has been a photographer with The Courier-Journal for 22 years. In addition to covering the community on a daily basis, he has visually documented Muhammad Ali, Kentucky's poor health, the University of Louisville's win at the Orange Bowl in Miami and Hurricane Ivan in Florida. Spending time with Terrell, he is inspired by the young man's strength and wisdom, which helps put life's little inconveniences in perspective.
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