Neil Young had to go through some tragedies due to his children’s diseases. His music was a reflection of his pain and a motivation to continue to stay strong for his children.
Young got divorced from his first wife Susan Acevedo in 1970. He then had a relationship with actress Carrie Snodgress until 1975. The couple didn’t marry and had a son named Zeke on September 8, 1972. Zeke was diagnosed with cerebral palsy shortly after he was born. This was only the beginning of Young’s children’s sufferings.
Neil Young’s Kids Have Been Fighting With Different Diseases
Neil Young met Pegi Norton in 1974. Norton was working as a waitress at that time. It was love at first sight, and the couple tied the knot in 1978. They welcomed their son Ben and later their daughter Amber. Ben was diagnosed with cerebral palsy like his older half-brother, and Amber got an epilepsy diagnosis.
Both Young and his children didn’t fall into despair and decided to move on. Young took his son Ben to his concerts and felt very happy about his son joining him. Amber also continued her career as an artist in San Franciso, and her father is her greatest fan and supporter.
Neil Young opened up about his son Ben saying:
“Ben has taught me you never give up. You can’t say ‘This is too hard.’ It can’t be too hard. There are so many kids with challenges that are so great and yet they just keep trying. So if I come up against something that’s hard to deal with, I can handle it, and it’s because of him.”
Young wanted to raise awareness about children with disabilities. He helped Pegi Young found The Bridge School, a non-profit organization to support their education.
