Every eighth grader counts down the days until they can cross the stage and receive their middle school diploma. Keith, La Rabida patient living with cerebral palsy, was no different. Graduation is a sign of accomplishment, a symbol of hard work, and is the beginning of something new. For Keith, graduation also symbolized a physical achievement.

Three weeks before graduation, Keith decided he wanted to walk across the graduation stage.

Having been a patient at La Rabida for over thirteen years, Keith has grown exponentially within the walls of the hospital. Working closely with La Rabida physical therapist, Lisa, Keith gets stronger and stronger every week. His dedication and strong will have helped him garner skills that make him more independent every day.

Three weeks before the big day, Keith told his mom and Lisa that he wanted to walk across the stage at graduation.

While he depends on a wheelchair for mobility, Keith knew he had the strength it took to reach this goal and take those monumental steps.

When Lisa heard about Keith’s goal, she did everything she could to help get him there. “Lisa showed us how he needed to get out of the chair, how he should turn around, how he should receive the diploma, how to shake the hand. It was unbelievable,” shared Javaze, Keith’s mom.

This summer, Keith took to the stage to accept that coveted diploma in front of his family, friends, and teachers.

“There wasn’t a dry eye in the place,” shared Javaze. “He wasn’t afraid, and Lisa helped him build the confidence he needed to do it.”

Keith, now a high-school freshman, already has his mind set to walk across the even bigger high school graduation stage in just four short years.

This story was featured in the November 2019 issue of eCurrents, La Rabida's monthly newsletter. To view the November issue of eCurrents, click here.