Dad doing best for kids after car tragedy

THE partner of a Hobart woman who died in a tragic car accident 18 months ago is pushing through his grief to be a full-time dad to their two young boys.

Pregnant mother Sarah Paino, 24, was killed in January last year when a youth in a stolen SUV ploughed into her car, containing her then two-year-old child, in Hobart’s CBD.

Despite her death, sur- geons were miraculously able to deliver her 34-week-term son, Caleb, while her other son Jordan was unharmed.

Channel Seven’s Sunday Night program last night caught up with Ms Paino’s partner Daniel Stirling and his boys, now aged 3 and 1.

Describing Caleb as a “little gem” who could now walk, Mr Stirling said he had been able to be a full-time dad since Ms Paino’s death thanks to generous donations from the public.

An online crowd-funding campaign raised more than $570,000.

Mr Stirling said he believed he was proving to be a good father.

“I think Sarah would be proud,” he said.

“I’ve been told I’m doing good. It’s a very full-on gig but I wouldn’t change it for the world. I’d have Sarah back in a heartbeat, but I’m doing the best I can without her.”

Mr Stirling said despite his early arrival, Caleb did not suffer from any ongoing health issues and had “aced” a recent paediatric assessment at the Royal Hobart Hospital.

Sharing Caleb’s birthday with the day of his mother’s death made it “tough,” but the family chose to focus more on his birthday, Mr Stirling said.

He said photos of Ms Paino adorned the walls of his home and Caleb would point to the photos when asked about his mother.

“He knows who Mum is,” he said.