Jacob Anderson, 18, was diagnosed with leukemia at age 7 and epilepsy at age 13
Credit: 8 News Now Las Vegas
NEED TO KNOW
- A Nevada teen with autism celebrated his high school graduation after being diagnosed with leukemia and epilepsy
- Jacob Anderson’s mother said there were times she wasn’t sure he would reach the milestone
- The 18-year-old now plans to continue building life and job skills through specialized programs
A Nevada teenager who has faced serious health challenges for much of his life is celebrating a major life milestone.
Jacob Anderson walked across the graduation stage at Spring Valley High School in Las Vegas on May 22, according to local outlet 8 News Now.
He was cheered on by his biggest supporter, his mother Kendra Briggs.
For Kendra, the moment carried special significance after years of uncertainty about what the future might hold for Jacob, 18.
“He's my only [son],” she told the outlet, adding that she once questioned whether he would ever reach the special day.
Kendra said Jacob was diagnosed with autism at a young age and did not begin speaking until he was 7 years old.
Jacob then received another diagnosis.
“He ended up getting leukemia at 7,” she said. “He wasn't eating and he ended up having constant bloody noses, and then he started throwing up blood.”
She said Jacob underwent treatment at Summerlin Hospital and required “many” blood transfusions.
Credit: Getty
Jacob was declared cancer-free at the time, but he encountered yet another health setback several years later after being diagnosed with epilepsy at the age of 13.
“All of a sudden he came in my room, and he literally fell backward and started seizing,” Kendra recalled. “That was scary.”
Despite her son’s health challenges, Kendra said she has remained focused on helping her son reach his goals, and she hopes their family's story will inspire others.
“I really want other parents who have younger children [with health issues] to understand [that] it is possible and they can graduate,” she said.
Kendra also hopes to remind other families raising children with autism that progress often comes one step at a time.
“I'm learning every day, still learning to this day,” she shared.
As for Jacob, he was all smiles while celebrating his accomplishment.
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“I'm happy!” he told the outlet.
According to 8 News Now, Jacob loves airplanes and plans to continue developing life and job skills through specialized educational programs.
Kendra said he will continue attending Spring Valley High School for the next four years as part of those services.
Read the full article here
