Stephen Ruiz
Orlando Sentinel
ORLANDO, Fla. — Evan Rasmussen received his diploma in style.
An ambulance transported Evan from the pediatric intensive-care unit at Orlando Health Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children to the Lake Minneola High School graduation ceremony at UCF on Friday night.
“When a child has a chronic illness, they often spent a lot of time in and out of the hospital, often missing out on important life experiences,” said Jodi McDuffie, nurse manager of the PICU. “It was really special for our team to be part of Evan’s big day. He couldn’t stop smiling during the whole trip.”
Decked out in a green graduation robe and mortar board, Evan was wheeled across the stage at Addition Financial Arena in his wheelchair. He was allowed to receive his diploma early in the ceremony so he could return to the hospital.
“Everybody’s rooting him on,” said Evan’s mother, Chandra Campbell-Evans.
https://www.facebook.com/arnoldpalmerhospital/videos/429892694254127/
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