Cap, Gown, and Courage: Taevion’s Inspiring Senior Year

This summer, Lurie Children’s Regenstein Cardiac Care Unit (CCU) was transformed to celebrate an extra special graduation ceremony. Taevion, then a high school senior at West Leyden High School in Northlake, Illinois, worked hard to complete the requirements to graduate despite unexpectedly spending the last three months of his senior year in the hospital.

Diagnosed with Duchenne muscular dystrophy in middle school, Taevion has been cared for by Lurie Children’s Neuromuscular and Cardiology teams for years, but when his health declined rapidly earlier this year, he learned he was suddenly in heart failure and was admitted to the CCU. He was placed on a Ventricular Assist Device to support his heart while he waited for a heart transplant.

With the end of senior year in sight, Lurie Children’s School Services Teacher Hana Herrick and the administration at West Leyden High School worked together to help Taevion stay on track with his studies from the hospital – and he was able to cross the finish line. While graduating alongside his classmates wouldn’t be possible, Taevion’s care team and teachers came together to ensure this milestone was celebrated properly; they brought the ceremony to him. Taevion wore a cap and gown as he made his way down the hallway to “Pomp and Circumstance” with his nurses, doctors, fellow patients and school administrators proudly cheering him on.

“Even with just two and a half months to go, he was so determined to make sure he was finishing and staying on track. It’s not the best news when you have to miss the end of your senior year, but he didn’t let that stop him. He, to me and to everyone here, has reached icon status,” said Hana. “Here in the CCU, it’s awesome for every kid and family to see somebody like them, with the same medical complexities, reach one of these huge milestones in life.”

Hana, Taevion's cardiologist Katheryn Gambetta, MD, and West Leyden Assistant Principal James Powers all spoke to his character and exceptional resilience before the superintendent officially presented Taevion with his diploma.

“Your courage, your strength is an absolute inspiration to all of us. We are so incredibly blessed to have you as part of our lives because you truly make us better humans,” said Assistant Principal Powers. 

Shortly after earning his diploma, Taevion received the exciting news that it was time for his heart transplant. The surgery was a success, and after spending time recovering and regaining his strength over the last few months, Taevion was officially discharged from Lurie Children’s in September. With the support and admiration from his care team and family, he transitioned on to his next step – rehabilitation at La Rabida Children’s Hospital – and looks forward to getting all the way home soon. They just have one final challenge to overcome to get him there.

“Taevion has shown so much strength and perseverance this year, and in order to complete his journey home and move on to the next chapter, our family needs an accessible vehicle,” said Tainica, Taevion’s mom. “This will allow me to transport him and his wheelchair with much more ease and comfort and will be incredibly helpful for things like follow-up appointments and physical therapy. Not to mention family outings, everyday errands, and taking his siblings to school every day – something he’s already mentioned he’d love to do once he gets home. We appreciate any donation our community can make toward our GoFundme goal.”

If you’re interested in supporting Taevion’s journey home and post-grad ambitions, visit their GoFundMe at https://www.gofundme.com/f/mobility-van-for-taevion.

Search our blog Search

---