One recent high school graduate from Pittsburgh is inspiring people everywhere with his incredible determination to walk after being paralyzed from the neck down.
Hayden Hamilton received a standing ovation at Lauren High School graduation on Friday as he rose from his wheelchair and walked 10 yards to receive his diploma, People reported.
"That felt better than any touchdown I ever scored," Hayden Hamilton told the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette of the emotional response his walk.
Hamilton’s life changed forever on August 31, 2018 after he was severely injured while playing football. The then-high school sophomore suffered a spinal injury and was paralyzed from the neck down, according to the Post-Gazette.
Hamilton has since defied odds and broken past his limitations, his therapist Ryan Lacey told the newspaper.
"He was told he wouldn't be able to do certain things that he's doing now," Lacey said. "It's a great story."
"I think it's cool that I did this on the field where it all happened," Hayden told the Post-Gazette. "I just wanted to be able to walk off that field again because I never got to do it that night [of the injury]. I'd say that was the main goal, to walk off that field once more."
Hamilton’s incredible achievement was a surprise to his friends and classmates.
"We had no idea. I was shocked," friend Kobe DeRosa told the outlet. "He deserved that standing ovation 100 percent."
Hamilton has been celebrated by stars like Mark Wahlberg and former Steelers player Ryan Shazier, who also had to learn to walk again after suffering a spinal cord injury during a game in 2017.
"Hayden this is amazing man I'm so proud of you," Shazier wrote on Twitter.
The 18-year-old is now planning on taking classes at Butler Community College in the fall with hopes to later attend a four-year-college.
"When I was hurt, I was paralyzed from the neck down and I couldn't even feed myself," Hayden told the outlet. "I couldn't do anything. I'm not worried about walking independently without a walker. I just want to make myself better every day."
LISTEN on the Audacy App
Sign Up and Follow Audacy
Facebook | Twitter | Instagram