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Student paralyzed for 12 years walks again to receive college diploma [Video]

Published

3 years ago

August 20, 2021

She Who Makes You Smile

Photo Credit: Good Morning America/YouTube

Corey Borner suffered a severe spinal cord injury that left him paralyzed and unable to walk for 12 years.
But Corey didn’t lose hope and joined rehabilitation so he could use his legs again.
On his graduation ceremony, the 28-year-old shocked everyone when he walked to receive his diploma using an exoskeleton.

His motto is to never give up.

Corey Borner, a former football player, suffered a severe spinal cord injury during a high school football game in 2009.

“As soon as I made a hit, I couldn’t move from the neck all the way down to my feet,” Corey told KXAS.

The accident had left him paralyzed and unable to walk for 12 long years.

“Twelve years since you haven’t taken a step,” the 28-year-old told the outlet in June. “That’s a long time.”

But no disability could ever stop Corey to press on. He even used this setback to inspire people by sharing his story as a motivational speaker.

“We all go through something. That’s one thing about life. But as long as you continue to stay focused and stay positive, anything is possible,” he said.

Corey also participated in rehabilitation with the aim to use his legs again. And during his graduation at the University of North Texas at Dallas on Saturday, he showed the world he was able to achieve his goal.

To everyone’s surprise, Corey rose from his wheelchair and walked to receive his diploma! It was all made possible by the use of an exoskeleton made by the Baylor Scott & White Institute for Rehabilitation in Dallas.

“Retweet this forever! So I shocked the whole world!” he tweeted after the emotional moment. “When you surprise the world walking across to receive your communication degree!”

“This is the biggest moment in my life!” he added. “I will continue to never give up and inspire the world with my testimony. I walked again! #Findaway”

The graduate also expressed his gratitude toward his mother for her unending love and support.

“You are the greatest mother ever! I give you lots of hugs sitting,” he wrote to his mother alongside a picture of the two. “But today I had to kiss you!”