Incredible moments when a US high school presents a diploma to meet a heart transplanted 18-year-old boy on his graduation day
After missing his graduation day due to heart transplant surgery, 18-year-old Joseph Bommarito Autman was pleasantly surprised with a graduation ceremony held in the hospital.
Since infancy, Autman has battled congestive heart failure, a heart disorder. He suffers from a severe ailment in which the heart cannot pump blood normally, causing the blood to return to the heart more quickly than it can be expelled.
“I didn’t even anticipate it. “Put your cap and gown on,” he ordered, as they awakened me up. Autman’s illness required four heart surgeries before he turned four, and at six years old, he was placed in a foster home before being adopted by a family.
Sjana Autman, Autman’s foster mother, explained how the teen’s illness caused him to have half a heart and presented additional difficulties, such as difficulties with studying and writing.
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Joseph faced many challenges as a result of his congestive heart failure and only having half a heart. Writing and learning are challenging. He never faltered in his efforts. Sjana remarked, “He had to put in more effort than the other kids.”
Surrounded by his loved ones, friends, and hospital personnel, Autman was taken aback when his teacher gave him his certificate at graduation.
His recent heart transplant, which he received after just a few months of waiting instead of years, was also commemorated, in addition to his graduation.
The heart came from a generous donor, according to his pediatric cardiologist, Dr. Natalie Shwaish. “They told me that it could take years or even decades to get new hearts when I was put on the transplant list,” he added. He remarked, “It took me about two months, and now I have a new heart.”
Autman stated that although he intends to go to college, his illness will require him to stay in the hospital for a few weeks before he can go home.
“I couldn’t have completed this on my own. Nobody could have done this, in my opinion. It is the result of numerous people’s efforts. This has given me a second chance—not quite a second wind, but a second wind anyway. I get to have a fresh passion and drive now,” he remarked.
