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Ozark student with neurological disorder defies odds, walks at graduation

Seniors graduating at Ozark High School were in for a surprise when a fellow student walked to receive his diploma in front of thousands.

Seniors graduating at Ozark High School were in for a surprise when a fellow student walked to receive his diploma in front of thousands.

Connor McCormick, who has Lissencephaly (a severe neurological disorder) and autism, attended attended public school for the first time to get his diploma. But his family never expected to see him walking across the stage.

"They got him in his walker and he just took," Connor's mother Melodie Dotson told CBS affiliate KFSM. "[He] took off, walked right up to where he needed to go and got his diploma."

Teachers gave the assist to Connor, helping him get out of his wheelchair and walk in front of 2,000 who cheered for him.

"Every other student is walking across the state and getting their diploma, no reason Connor shouldn't do the same," said Principal Jordan Price.

It was an emotional moment for the Connor's family. They were told he wouldn't live past 2 years old, but now at 17 he got to graduate from high school and donned a cap and gown.

"We were basically told at the beginning that he would never be able to walk or talk of any of that stuff," Dotson said. "When they help him like this and applaud, it's just really touching to see it."

After high school, Connor now plans to attend the Franklin County Learning Center and join its adult learning program.

To watch the full graduation video, click here.

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