‘Peter Pan Dad’ author Jeon Gyeong-cheol, whose desperate search sent ripples across the country, had secured a new home for his son and embarked on a new mission to build a better support system for others like him
Jeon Gyeong-cheol, the author widely known as the "Peter Pan Dad" for documenting his search for a home where his disabled son could live after his death, died Saturday. He was 64 and had been fighting late-stage liver cancer.
Jeong Yu-jin, head of the Developmental Disabilities Support Expert Forum, announced Jeon's death on social media Sunday, saying the funeral would be held without a formal wake, in accordance with his wishes.
"He is currently at the hospital, and no separate memorial hall will be set up. We extend our deepest condolences," she wrote.
Jeon spent more than two decades as the sole caregiver for his son, who is now 27 and has autism, with his developmental level assessed as that of a 2- or 3-year-old.
After receiving a terminal diagnosis of late-stage liver cancer in April last year, Jeon traveled across the country, reaching out to nearly 1,000 care facilities in hopes of finding a place that could look after his son once he was gone. Few, however, were able to take him in.
Jeon later began writing about his search on the content publishing platform Brunch, and his accounts struck a chord with many readers. His story soon reached a wider audience through television programs including MBC's "True Story Expedition" and tvN's "You Quiz on the Block."
Jeon later compiled his writings on Brunch into the essay collection "Annyeong, Peter Pan," published in June.
Readers moved by his story raised some 80 million won ($59,000) in donations, and with growing nationwide support, Je-won was able to move into a community village for people with profound developmental disabilities.
"I want to tell him to forget about his dad and live happily. But I don’t want him to forget me completely. I hope he remembers me with a faint sense of longing, as an old man who once looked at him with warmth," Jeon said on "You Quiz on the Block" last month.
Jeon also sought to help families facing struggles similar to his own, working to establish a welfare foundation for adults with severe autism-related disabilities, like his son.
On Aug. 26, shortly before his death, he announced the launch of a preparatory committee for the foundation. With the committee now in place, its members are expected to carry on Jeon's efforts and continue discussions on launching the foundation, according to news reports.
cjh@heraldcorp.com
