Ezekiel has a lot to celebrate this summer. Not only is he a recent Whitney Young High School graduate, he also graduated from La Rabida to adult care after receiving services here for 16 years!

Ezekiel has right side hemiparesis, which means he is partially paralyzed, caused by a stroke during pregnancy. During his 16 years as a patient at La Rabida, Ezekiel received ongoing occupational and physical therapy, serial casting on his ankles, and bracing and splinting for his arm.

When he first came to La Rabida, he was a shy six-year-old boy, hesitant about his care.

However, over the years Ezekiel formed trusting relationships with his therapists and doctors allowing him to maximize his potential.

In fact, Ezekiel has created personal art for many therapists at La Rabida, three of whom have his beautiful paintings hanging in their homes.

Kim VanKlompenburg, one of Ezekiel's physical therapists, has known and worked with Ezekiel since he started coming to La Rabida in 2011.

“Over the years, he struggled with the bracing and splinting, and the feelings of being different at school,” says VanKlompenburg. “But every time, with the help and support of his amazing family, Ezekiel always rose above.”

According to his therapists, Ezekiel’s family are generous, considerate and grateful for the services provided by La Rabida.

"At La Rabida, not only did the staff help Ezekiel with his disabilities, they also made him feel special,” says Tina, Ezekiel’s mom. “Everyone truly cared about him and his well-being. He wasn't just treated as a patient, but as a person."

Ezekiel is a kind, polite, mature and hard-working young man. An accomplished artist and track and cross country athlete, he is off to college in Florida this fall, where he will focus on training for the Paralympics.

Congratulations to Ezekiel, his family and his therapists!

Ezekiel, second from the left, personally presents a watercolor painting of La Rabida's outpatient building to retiring board member Dan Real at this year's annual board meeting.