Each month, iParenting.com spotlights a father who inspires and moves us, who embodies the qualities that we all admire in a person, a man and a father. Above all, the Dad of the Month is dedicated to his children. Rich or poor, famous or not, he shines as an example of what fathering is all about.

Our choice for November is Denny Chipollini, amputee, marathon runner, inspirational speaker and father of two.

Dennis "Denny" Chipollini is no stranger to adversity. When his wife, Sue, was 8 months pregnant with their first child, Chipollini was in a devastating accident that severed both of his legs. Though doctors were able to quickly reattach the limbs, he continued to have problems with his left leg.

After 15 operations to save his leg, Chipollini finally made the decision to amputate. His doctors discouraged this – they didn't want him to be "different." However, this difference sent Chipollini on a journey that would touch children across the country, especially his new son, Nicholas. "I went to surgery with a smile on my face that day," says Chipollini, referring to the operation to amputate his left leg. "I knew life was beginning."

If You Can't Walk, Run!
After the amputation, Chipollini's doctors told him that he would not walk again. But Chipollini's determination kicked in, and he was walking within 10 months. Approximately three years after walking, he ran his first 5K race. "I came in dead last," says Chipollini. "But when I was done, a little boy told me, 'Mister, you're my hero.' After that, I knew I had been given a gift."

His gift is the ability to inspire others, especially children. Chipollini began to run marathons to raise awareness of children's diseases for which there is no cure. Although he strives to help all children, his son, Nicholas, offers him the most motivation. Nicholas suffers from neurofibromatosis (NF), a disease that causes tumors on nerve endings throughout the body. In addition to NF, Nicholas also has Tourette syndrome and ADHD, which have been tough conditions to deal with at school.

During fourth grade, Nicholas' classmates began to bully him. "His fourth grade year was horrible," says Chipollini. "No one would eat with him in the cafeteria. Sometimes, the kids would throw food at him."

Chipollini took action by talking to the school administration, teachers and students. What he found when talking to Nicholas' classmates was that knowledge breeds acceptance. Once the children understood Nicholas' conditions, the bullying stopped, and friends began to emerge.

Generation Hope
In 1999, 10 years after the accident, Chipollini wanted to do something special to thank family and friends for all of their support over the years. He started a non-profit organization called Generation Hope Fund to help spread his message of "education and inspiring children to overcome adversity and accept diversity and to live their lives with 'No Excuses ... No Limits!'"

Debbie Gustafson, who is a friend of Chipollini's and who assists with Generation Hope, says, "Denny wants to spread his message to as many kids as he can, to make this world a better place for his own kids and kids everywhere."

Inspired by his son, who said, "Daddy, go and tell my story," Chipollini is doing just that. He visits schools and community events across the country, spreading the message of acceptance and believing that you can do anything you set out to do. "If my message stops a bully from picking on others because they are different, that makes my day," says Chipollini.

Talk About It
Chipollini begins his presentations by telling his listeners that all people are the same, but a little different. During this time, the audience does not know that he is an amputee. He asks, "Do I look different?" Then, he reveals that his left leg is actually a prosthetic. "The audience almost falls out of their seats," says Chipollini. Once he has their attention, he begins to talk about all of the challenges Nicholas faces.

During these presentations, Chipollini explains five points that Generation Hope strives to convey:

1. Find yourself (visualize what you want and go after it).
2. Set goals. When you reach those goals, set new ones.
3. Accept adversity in others. Go learn from others and use your differences to help others learn about adversity.
4. Lighten up! Have fun and be able to laugh at yourself.
5. Go help others. You cannot be "successful" in life unless you are helping others. Chipollini defines being successful by having your heart full (not, necessarily, your bank account).

Continuing On
Chipollini's challenges are not over. Years ago, during an operation to save his leg, he was infected with hepatitis C. He recently finished a year of treatment to hopefully cure him of this disease. "The hepatitis C treatment was the worst year of my life," says Chipollini.

Regardless of how bad it gets, his children always bring him inspiration. He remembers being in bed during the hepatitis C treatment and seeing his daughter, Elyse, now 10, walk by his room. She saw that he wasn't feeling well, so she found her teddy bear named Patriot and tucked him under Chipollini's arm. "The bear actually made me feel better," says Chipollini. "When you're down, it's the little gestures – the 'human touch' – that gets you back."

He is also quick to point out the support and love he receives from his wife, Sue. "Obviously, I could not do all of this without my wife by my side," he says.

With all of the adversity Chipollini has faced, his only regret is that he did not start Generation Hope sooner. "Positive action causes a positive reaction," says Chipollini. "A negative action just stops everything – nothing grows from it."

Generation Hope's Future
Chipollini's vision for Generation Hope is to form "Camp Hope," where children with and without disabilities can get together to learn about their differences in a supportive and fun environment.

Generation Hope is also creating character-building programs for all grade levels. The eight- to 12-week sessions will focus on the importance of developing children's emotional intelligence, as well as their intellectual minds.

Though Chipollini hopes that his challenges have stopped for a while, he knows that when the next one pops up he will face it with his inspiring motto: "No Excuses ... No Limits!"

Want to see more?

• What is ADHD?
• Special Kids Today
• Battlin g Bullies
• Read about past Dads of the Month here!
• Read about past Moms of the Month here!
• Talk about it!