Walking across the stage at your graduation is something that many high school students look forward to.
To most, the act of walking is such a simple task compared to the years they spent studying to earn their high school diploma.
But for high school senior, Ryan Estrada walking was just as difficult. Two years earlier he was involved in a car crash that left him paralyzed.
On June 11, he stood up from his wheelchair and walked across the stage to receive his diploma.
On November 8, 2017, Ryan swerved his vehicle to avoid hitting a cyclist. He veered back into his lane to avoid a car in the other lane and lost control.
“I remember losing control of the wheel, hitting the mailbox and then hitting the tree,” a 16-year-old Ryan told WTVR.
Immediately he knew something was wrong.
The Henrico County, Virginia, teen suffered a broken neck and severe spinal cord injury, which left him paralyzed in the hands and legs, according to WTVR.
Six months after his accident, Ryan took his first steps.
“I think of it as going to the gym every morning, so I just get a workout,” Ryan said in May 2018. “It’s a little frustrating, but once you get over the mental block, it’s just physical.”
After his two hours of therapy, he went to school to continue his education.
Now, it’s all come to an end… at least high school.
On June 11, Ryan graduated from Godwin High School. And just like his classmates, he walked across the stage to receive his diploma.
It was something that Henrico County Public Schools said “might not have been possible just a year ago.” The school district shared a video of Ryan receiving his diploma from Godwin’s principal.
Those in audience also gave the high school senior a standing ovation.
[arve url=”https://www.facebook.com/HenricoCountyPublicSchools/videos/552047875324808/” /]
“It’s so awesome,” Ryan’s mom, Caroline told the school district. “It was a wonderful evening for sure. I’m very proud of Ryan.”
Congratulations Ryan!
Let’s congratulate the new high school graduate and wish him well on his future.
