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When 18-year-old Abraham Maldonado expressed his wish to attend his high school graduation, Chaplain Antonio Rivera-Maldonado promptly shared this with the hospice team. Abraham, a VITAS patient in Orlando, Florida, has been living with malignant neoplasm of the spinal cord for ten years and is expected to have six months left to live. Despite his illness, he continued high school through virtual learning.
Team Manager Nicolette Burton was determined to fulfill Abraham's wish upon hearing it. “Abraham doesn’t like to complain—even when he’s in pain,” Nicolette said. “Despite everything he’s been going through, he has such an outgoing, positive, can-do attitude. I wanted to do anything I could to help make his dream come true.”
Thanks to Antonio's efforts, a private ceremony was arranged at Boone High School auditorium in Orlando where Abraham received his honorary diploma surrounded by family and friends.
“It feels good to know that I could make a difference in his life," said Werner Ferman, VITAS LPN.
Abraham’s family originally from Puerto Rico has supported him throughout his journey. “They’ve never once made him feel like he’s a burden,” Social Worker Lisa Camacho noted.
Abraham faced challenges along the way and almost gave up at one point. Antonio shared how Abraham's father encouraged him: “If he went back to school and finished, his [dad] would go back to school and they would graduate together.”
Abraham achieved his goal and also attended his father's graduation ceremony for a bachelor of science degree in mechanical engineering on July 10.
“It was great to be there for Abraham on his special day,” said Werner Ferman who dressed as the VITAS mascot during the ceremony. Despite numerous surgeries and treatments over the years, “Abraham’s personal life quote is ‘Never give up!’” according to Nicolette.
