There’s a musician at Loyola that stands apart from the rest. Although he’ll never admit that he’s different than anybody else.
His name is Daniel Caro. He’s a drummer, with no hands.
It happened on St. Patrick’s Day of 1982. Little Danny Caro was looking for his Flinstone’s wagon in the garage of his home when he kicked over a can of gasoline. Within minutes the hot water pilot lit and virtually turned his garage into an oven.
Sustaining such devastating injuries at the age of two left family and doctors expecting the worst.
“According to medical science, I should have been dead,” Caro said.
Only he didn’t die. Against all odds he conquered the burns and is now completing his first year at Loyola University as a transfer student.
“It wasn’t a disaster,” Caro said. “It made me a stronger person.”
Daniel was raised in a family of musicians. His father and two older brothers were musicians so naturally he followed in their footsteps.
“My parents say that they have always seen that I was going to be a musician, especially my dad,” Caro said. “I was absorbed by music.”
Glen Diecedeu, Daniel’s first drum teacher was the first person to really inspire him to play.
“Other than my dad, he was the only person who believed that I could play,” Caro said.
Diecedeu taught Daniel much more than just drumming. He taught Daniel about the life of a musician. He inspired Daniel to keep his mind set to music and to never deviate from that path.
Daniel admits that his physical appearance leads others to believe that he might be limited. Though he knows that there are no limits to what he can accomplish.
“I can do anything anybody else can do,” said Caro. “The sky is the limit, I never set any boundries.”
Right now Daniel is focussing on his music. He’s a permanent member of one band that plays around the city “Brotherhood of Groove”, though any given day you can find him playing with one of five or six different groups.
Daniel’s talent and high spirit keep him in high demand.
“Sometimes Dan seems more like a motivational speaker,” said friend Thomas Occhiuto. “I know that I’m a better musician just for having known him.”
No matter how easy Daniel makes it sound he never forgets what he’s overcome. Daniel has had to face a lot of adversity to prove his abilities as a musician. At times he admits to letting frustration get the best of him.
“When I want to give up,” Caro said “I think of the story my dad told me about the day he saw my fingers crumble off of my body. Then I realize how far I’ve come and I keep going.”
Daniel continues to push himself to success in the eyes of disbelievers. He’ll work on playing regularly and playing better.
“My goals are different than most people,” Caro said. “In five years I just hope to find myself being the best musician I can be.”
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