If you have an important goal, one that resides within you as something you need to do, how long would you keep at it without success?

Mostly, when we think of famous Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli we think of his incredible voice. But his life’s story and eventual success had more to do with his determination not to give up his dream of a career in music.

By the time he was 12 Andrea was totally blind from congenital glaucoma. But that didn’t stop him from pushing for a musical career.

He quickly learned to play several instruments and his 3½-octave voice was incredibly rare.

Yet, for a long time, his dream of being an entertainer didn’t seem reachable and his family wanted him to have a secure job.

To please his family he went to a prestigious law school and became a lawyer.

Most men would call that a success. Andrea did not. He used his money to take vocal lessons and to push for his dream of a singing career.

At times he found a little success, winning a talent contest and working in a piano bar. But nothing much ever came of it.

By the time he was 30 he was still no closer to his big dream. He admitted he was discouraged but refused to stop until he found the musical career he wanted.

His real break didn’t come until he paid to make a CD that he sent to famous Italian tenor Luciano Pavarotti.

Pavarotti, who is considered the greatest opera singer of all time, said the first time he heard Andrea sing he knew he was destined for greatness.

It was Pavarotti who helped launch Andrea’s singing career. With his help, Andrea finally found the success he craved.

And it only took 35 years of struggle.

How many of us would have been tempted to give up a dream that didn’t seem within reach?

If he had given up the world would not have been gifted with his incomparable voice.

Celine Dion once said if God sang He would sound like Andrea Bocelli.

I am just one of the millions of fans who thrill to his music.

I like turning on YouTube at night to listen to the music of Andrea and his son Matteo, who is finding a singing career of his own.

But when I think of amazing stories about never giving up, the one who most comes to mind is Kunkletown resident Ken Ryno’s.

Ken might not be famous but he should be, because few people could have his fortitude to never, never give up.

Ken’s story is the one I can never forget.

He was 17 when a motorcycle crash left him a quadriplegic. Ken was told he had absolutely no muscle movement and had no chance to ever walk again.

But he refused to give up.

Day after day he laid in bed trying to move a muscle.

Every day he kept watching people walk by, envisioning his own muscles movement.

Few people would keep trying every day like he did.

Finally, something happened that changed his life. When outpatient therapist JoAnn Sienkiewicz came to treat his bedsores she saw that Ken appeared to have muscle movement. She contacted Gnaden Huetten Rehab and asked them to admit Ken.

Ken vowed he would walk out of rehab, and no one had ever worked harder.

There wasn’t a dry eye in the place when Ken did indeed walk out of there.

I can tell you Ken absolutely glowed. Being around him was like being drenched in sunshine.

But in 2018 after Ken’s van was T-boned he was again fighting for his life.

After a long stint in the hospital and rehab he was finally able to come home on a ventilator along with a pacemaker, feeding tube, pain pump, oxygen and chest percussion vest.

The crash had severely damaged his trachea and doctors warned he might never be able to talk again.

His breathing, speech and ability to eat still remain severely compromised. Yet, he still sings praise for each day.

Ken Ryno is one of the most incredible people I have ever met. I have seldom met anyone who continues to live life with more joy than Ken.

His life-threatening physical problems continue to be a serious challenge, but Ken doesn’t stop relishing every bit of life.

While he admits this is the hardest time of his life, much harder than his years of immobility, Ken refuses to give up.

Ahead of him is more risky surgery, but he’s willing to chance it because it might mean he’ll be able to breathe better, speak more and perhaps he’ll even be able to swallow a little food.

Relying on his strong faith, Ken says he lives one day at a time.

I find myself being ever so grateful that I got to know the extraordinary man who continues to inspire me.

I remain in awe of his courage, strong faith and thankfulness for life.

Email Pattie Mihalik at newsgirl@comcast.net