#New York teen battling paralysis, cancer still plans to vote

This New York teenager is battling paralysis, a partial skull removal and a brain hemorrhage while in remission for leukemia — but he’ll still be casting his vote for the presidential election come November.

“I feel really happy that I registered to vote because it’s important as a person and as a citizen. Whether you’re voting for a Democrat or Republican… it doesn’t matter because it’s important to vote,” Horace McFarlane Jr., 19, told The Post Tuesday as he registered to cast his ballot at the Mt. Pleasant Blythedale School at the Blythedale Children’s Hospital in Valhalla.

“I’m excited and I’m really happy to vote and I’m ready.”

McFarlane, of Yonkers, has been relearning how to walk, talk and take care of himself at the children’s hospital, where he also attends school, after being diagnosed with leukemia in November 2018, right before he turned 18.

The chemotherapy medications he received led to a series of complications, including a blood clot in his brain that forced doctors to remove a portion of his skull, which eventually left him wheelchair bound on a special liquid diet.

Despite the incredible hurdles McFarlane has faced, he’s not letting any of that get in the way of performing his civic duty in the historic election.

“It was hard at first, then I did some research with my teacher and we got some important information,” McFarlane said.

“The president that we have, I don’t think he’s doing a great job. I think Biden would be great at being president. He’s always been helping us, I know he’ll do great.”

The young progressive is also a fan of Gov. Andrew Cuomo but he’s more interested in getting back on the soccer field than a career in politics.

“I’m at the end of cancer treatment in December. After that, I’ll regain consciousness of my left side and start playing soccer,” said the teen, who dreams to be a professional soccer player.

He had wise words for other citizens who might be on the fence about heading to the polls.

“Find some information, if you don’t know how to vote, find some important documents and information on how to get registered to vote,” he said.

“It’s an important time we’re living in and we need to be voting every chance we got.”