Noah Rinehart has Down Syndrome. He became a quadriplegic after a 2006 swimming accident at age 13. Despite the devastating injury, Noah and his family have worked hard to help the young man live a full life.
Noah's parents, John and Becky, added an addition to their home to accomodate their son's physical condition. The family dynamic has evolved as well, especially the relationship between father and son.
John Rinehart watches from the doorway as Alex Luca helps Rinehart’s son, Noah, on to the floor using a winch at the Rinehart’s home in Dover, Pa. Noah,19, has Down Syndrome and was left a quadriplegic after a swimming accident on June 23, 2006 at age 13. Since then, by necessity and desire, the father and son are almost inseparable. A nurse comes to their home twice a week to give Noah’s parents a few hours of relief. / Photo by Krista Myers
Noah and his parents, John and Becky, pose for photos as family and friends take snapshots at Noah’s graduation on June 9, 2011 from Dover Area High School at the York Fairgrounds Toyota Center in York, Pa. / Photo by Krista Myers
Noah and his dad rehearse with the Columbia VFW band at Columbia High School in Columbia, Pa. They joined the band, which is directed by Noah's high school band director George Bradshaw, after Noah graduated from high school. / Photo by Krista Myers
Noah and his parents sing in the church choir, rehearsing with fellow members before a Sunday service at Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church in East Berlin, Pa. / Photo by Krista Myers
John watches Noah swim laps at the Dover Intermediate School swimming pool. It is the same pool where Noah injured his spinal cord in June 2006. / Photo by Krista Myers
John helps Noah into the chair lift to lower him into the pool. Noah normally swims for more than an hour at a time – something he loved to do before his injury. / Photo by Krista Myers
Noah and his dad eat an early breakfast together before John Rinehart takes Noah to volunteer at the Dover Library. Noah is able to hold a pencil to work on a crossword puzzle, something he couldn't do before he had surgery in July 2011 to correct movement in his wrists and fingers. / Photo by Krista Myers
John helps Vicky Snyder, Noah's high school van driver, load Noah into the van before school. Snyder meets them at the bottom of their lane each day before school to pick up Noah. "It's fun to see someone go at life a little bit differently," said John. "It's frustrating because there are challenges, but it's fun to see how he does it, too." / Photo by Krista Myers
The Rineharts pause for a silly moment at home. John laughs at Noah and Becky after Noah says, "Come here, Beck, nose-to-nose”. / Photo by Krista Myers
Becky and Noah attempt to do push-ups together as part of Noah's floor exercises while John rearranges Noah's legs. The exercise helps Noah improve his arm strength and gets him out of his chair. / Photo by Krista Myers
Noah and Alex Luca, one of his three nurses, play a card game that Noah invented while he sits on the toilet for a few hours during his "bowel program." Noah can’t control his bladder or bowel. The “program” combines laxatives with a regimen of several hours on the toilet every other day. / Photo by Krista Myers
Alex Luca shaves Noah's face in the shower. Noah was very happy when, after graduating high school, he was finally able to join the rest of the men in his family who all have beards. / Photo by Krista Myers
John uses a wooden board to help Noah out of bed and into his wheelchair. / Photo by Krista Myers
John stands behind Noah while he bowls with the York County Special Olympics at Colony Park Lanes in York, Pa. Noah uses a ramp to direct the ball while his dad runs back and forth to the ball return. / Photo by Krista Myers
John wheels Noah up the ramp at their home. The ramp was built after Noah's accident. The family built an addition to their house, which they refer to as "Noah's quarters." / Photo by