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This week, our Regenstein Cardiac Care Unit (CCU) was transformed to celebrate an extra-special graduation ceremony! Taevion, a high school senior at West Leyden High School in Northlake, worked hard to complete the requirements to graduate despite unexpectedly spending the last three months of his school 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 waits for a heart transplant. With the end of senior year in sight, Lurie Children’s School Services Teacher Hana and the administration at West Leyden 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. Teacher Hana, cardiologist Dr. Katheryn Gambetta and the West Leyden assistant principal all spoke to his character and exceptional resilience before the superintendent officially presented Taevion with his diploma. “It’s good that he has a big crowd to see him achieve and accomplish one of his dreams and his goals. And just to be loved by everybody. Nobody knows what it’s like to face what he has, but today he graduated, and I’m so happy,” said Taevion’s mom, Tainica. Congratulations, Taevion! Keep reaching for the stars. 🌟 🎓 Lurie Children's Heart Center (fb)