WPLG
Aldo Amenta, a student at Florida International University, served as an inspiration to an entire crowd of witnesses taking in his graduation over the weekend. Amenta, who is bound to a wheelchair after suffering a severe spinal injury in a swimming pool accident and was declared a quadriplegic by doctors, managed to walk across the stage to receive his diploma.
Amenta made his walk with the help of a special-made exoskeleton.
Amenta graduated with a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering, according to a report from WPLG. His walk in the exoskeleton required hours of practice, the report added.
“It was an amazing experience,” Amenta said after making his inspirational walk. “For me it was a milestone to accomplish. Being able to cross the stage walking is something that’s really meaningful.”
After his accident, Amenta briefly considered dropping out of school, but he received a scholarship to continue his studies and treatment. Now that he has his bachelor’s degree, he hopes to continue his studies while pursuing a masters degree at FIU.
“At FIU, we take pride in the accomplishments of our students and their determination to succeed,” said FIU President Mark Rosenberg in a statement.
It is a moment that Amenta will never forget.
“It was an amazing experience,’ Amenta said, via the Daily Mail. “For me it was a milestone to accomplish. Being able to cross the stage walking is something that’s really meaningful.
“It doesn’t matter how hard you think things are going to be. Maybe you feel that it is impossible for you to make it, but you’ll find people that are willing to help you…that motivated me. That gave me the strength to be able to continue to push myself through and stay positive.”
Congratulations to Amenta for his incredible accomplishment and best of luck in his continued studies.