Graduating high school is always a special accomplishment, but for one DFW student getting to walk at graduation had a totally different meaning. That’s because just last year she suffered a spinal cord stroke that left her without sensation in both of her legs. However, just over a year later, she was able to recover enough to take the stage for her high school graduation.
Kendall Long recently graduated from New Tech High School at B.F. Darrell in Dallas, but the path she took to get there was much more difficult than just passing her classes. In February of 2022, Long suffered a spinal cord stroke that left her unable to walk. However, she was determined to get back on her feet by graduation, as she spent the next two months in intensive physical therapy at Children's Health Specialty Center Rehabilitation and Therapy Services unit.
“Getting to be a member of Kendall’s care team has been one of the most rewarding and remarkable experiences of my career,” said her physical therapist, Deeandra Pedroza. According to NBC DFW, Long now plans to attend Texas A&M Commerce in the fall to study veterinarian medicine. Compared to what she’s been through, college will be nothing.
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