Schools

Graduation Provides a Special Moment for Daniel Rinaldi

Walking across the stage Friday evening had a deeper meaning for Harrison graduate Daniel Rinaldi, who has battled a rare disease his entire life.

A fog horn blared in the back of the auditorium as hundreds of parents, teachers and friends tried to figure out why Harrison High School's graduation ceremony suddenly paused for a standing ovation.

The reason, they quickly realized, was Daniel Rinaldi.

Daniel, who has battled Proteus Syndrome since birth, hadn't walked on his own outside of physical therapy since the sixth grade. He has large growths on each of his legs and has been confined to a wheelchair for most of his life. But on Friday evening he stepped out of his wheelchair and walked across the stage on his own two feet—drawing a loud ovation from all in attendance. 

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Proteus is a rare overgrowth condition that leads to different parts of the body growing faster than others. It affects less than 100 people worldwide, according to the Proteus Syndrome Foundation and has no known cure. 

But Daniel decided earlier this year that he was going to walk across the stage on graduation night, remembering a challenge issued by his older brothers four years ago.

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"We told him we weren't going to go to high school graduation if he was just going to sit there," said Mark Rinaldi, Daniel's older brother. "We challenged him to have to walk."

The challenge was accepted. Earlier this school year Daniel started walking in physical therapy. Although his left leg no longer has a knee cap and his right leg is too weak to hold his body weight, he is able to move on two legs if he builds up enough strength in his left side. 

"When I first started I thought there was no shot," Daniel said. "My endurance was horrible, I would make it one step and I'd go down."

After months of work in physical therapy, Daniel said he can now make it about 50 to 60 steps on a typical day, just enough to make it across the stage at graduation. With the help of a walker and a manila folder to hold his diploma, Daniel made it across the front of the stage without a problem.

It was a perfect way to end a journey through high school that had more than a fair share of challenges.

Daniel has endured 27 surgeries over the years, many of which have kept him in the hospital—and out of school—for months at a time. He recently needed surgery for a problem in his inner-ear and is now partially deaf. His most serious surgery took place when his left knee cap was removed in fourth grade. It is a near certainty that more surgeries will be necessary in the future as growths in his ear, legs and fingers continue to pose significant health threats.

"It's been difficult," Daniel said. "But I've made the best of it."

Daniel said he didn't expect much reaction when he walked across the stage Friday. Never one to seek out the spotlight, the recent graduate said he didn't even tell most of his classmates about his plans to walk. "I don't think it's going to be a big thing," he said a few days before graduating.

But the audience recognized what was happening almost immediately, breaking into a standing ovation while Daniel started his walk.

Daniel will attend Mitchell College in Connecticut this fall and major in sports management. He said he hopes to help the basketball team there and eventually pursue his dream of becoming a college coach.

Although he will need to continue physical therapy in college, Daniel said he isn't worried about leaving home and can't wait to start his life outside of Harrison. As for working toward his next diploma, Daniel has another challenge to live up to—this one issued to himself.

"If my brothers can do it, I can do it—better than them," he said with a smile. "If they graduate in five, I'll do it in four."

Who ever said sibling rivalries are a bad thing?


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