Paralyzed Teen Walks Across Stage at Graduation
- 10 years ago
A paralyzed teen, 18-year-old Zachary Pickett recently shocked everyone when he walked across the stage to grasp his high school diploma.
Time and time again, folks with disabilities prove that determination can help overcome virtually any obstacle.
A paralyzed teen, 18-year-old Zachary Pickett recently shocked everyone when he walked across the stage to grasp his high school diploma. Although the journey on foot was slow, he did manage to get up there and hold his hard earned certificate with a big smile on his face.
Just 2 years ago, the then 16-year-old lifeguard and water polo player was left with a broken neck when he dove into a lake and hit a sandbar he couldn’t see. For the past 22 months, he’s been paralyzed from the waist down.
However the accident and its unfortunate aftermath didn’t kill his spirit in the least. Pickett went into recovery mode and started seeing a physical therapist.
A short time later he was back playing for his high school water polo team. His next goal was to prepare for graduation, specifically walking across the stage. Pickett started practicing with a walker then moved on up to a cane.
All his hard work and determination paid off, proven by the standing ovation he received from students at Ponderosa High School in Shingle Springs, California after he was handed the diploma.
Now, he’s getting ready to attend the University of Southern California in Los Angeles, where he’ll study business.
Time and time again, folks with disabilities prove that determination can help overcome virtually any obstacle.
A paralyzed teen, 18-year-old Zachary Pickett recently shocked everyone when he walked across the stage to grasp his high school diploma. Although the journey on foot was slow, he did manage to get up there and hold his hard earned certificate with a big smile on his face.
Just 2 years ago, the then 16-year-old lifeguard and water polo player was left with a broken neck when he dove into a lake and hit a sandbar he couldn’t see. For the past 22 months, he’s been paralyzed from the waist down.
However the accident and its unfortunate aftermath didn’t kill his spirit in the least. Pickett went into recovery mode and started seeing a physical therapist.
A short time later he was back playing for his high school water polo team. His next goal was to prepare for graduation, specifically walking across the stage. Pickett started practicing with a walker then moved on up to a cane.
All his hard work and determination paid off, proven by the standing ovation he received from students at Ponderosa High School in Shingle Springs, California after he was handed the diploma.
Now, he’s getting ready to attend the University of Southern California in Los Angeles, where he’ll study business.