β€œWow”: Paralyzed Teen Walks at High School Graduation

Manny Rios, who was paralyzed in a bike accident four years ago, walked during his high school graduation

After he was paralyzed from the chest down in a bicycle accident, Manny Rios did something no one thought he’d ever do β€” he walked during his graduation ceremony at a Southern California high school.

In his blue cap and gown, he stepped out of his wheelchair on May 29 with some help from a walker and his therapist and took slow steps up a ramp to applause, chants of β€œManny! Manny!” and β€œYou can do it!”

β€œHe always said he was going to walk across the stage to get his diploma,” said his sister, Mirna Hennicke, 35. β€œI’ve seen him take steps, but I did not think he was actually going to make it all the way across the stage.

"I cheered him on. I was like, β€˜Wow, he did it!’”

For the family, Rios' graduation from Sultana High School in Hesperia was a huge day commemorated in a YouTube video for all to see.

Family members never thought Rios would walk, talk or even eat again after he suffered from an injury while riding a bike four years ago that put him in a coma.

Despite the setback, Rios never wavered, telling his family: "I will walk across the stage to get my diploma."

β€œHe really is my superhero,” Hennicke said. β€œ... No words to describe what I felt, actually seeing him accomplish what he said he was going to do.”

The family is raising the $12,500 needed to get Rios a service dog to assist him in his daily routines. You can donate here. As of Monday, the family has raised $140.

Contact Us