Wilmington Father Pleads With School To Recognize Son At Graduation
WILMINGTON (CBS) - All Michael Murphy needs to see is his son smile and that makes his day. "I get paid in smiles. One smile a day and I am happy," Murphy said.
Growing up his son Michael was a happy, normal, energetic kid. He loved sports; especially the Bruins. In 2011 Michael was about to enter his freshman year in high school, when he had a cardiac arrest and suffered a severe brain injury.
"He can't walk, can't talk. Mike was not able to swallow for quite a while," Murphy said.
Now four years later he's making small strides. He can move his arm and can swallow on his own. The biggest step the family wants to see is to have him graduate with classmates who are now all seniors.
"I just want him to be recognized with his classmates. That's a dream for us since day one," Murphy said.
The Wilmington School Department says Michael does not qualify for state and local graduation requirements, which include attendance, course work and MCAS assessment. "Unless you have met those requirements we are not allowed to issue an award or diploma," Superintendent Mary DeLai said.
As the family understands it, now they're going to the graduation only as guests, even though they already bought him his own cap and gown. "To be invited as guests will not cut it. We want him to be acknowledged as they are saying everyone else's name. They can say his name too and we can roll him right by with the other kids," Murphy said.
The family will meet with the school department on Wednesday to make a final decision. "We are working with the family to respectfully recognize that Michael would have been part of the Class of 2015," DeLai said.
