Daniel Stern, who has muscular dystrophy and is confined to a wheel chair, thought the worst was behind him after he had scoliosis surgery in November last year.

After a month spent in the intensive care unit, Stern came back home and began working hard to make up for the days he had missed at school. He was getting back on track when fate threw him another wicked curveball.

There is unmistakable pride in Gloria Stern’s voice as she talks about her son’s never-say-die attitude. “He was doing well when on Feb. 8, his lungs suddenly collapsed. We rushed him to the Coral Springs Medical Center from where he was taken to Broward General Medical Center. He was there for nearly two months. But not once did I hear him complain. My son is a fighter.”

On June 1, Stern received a standing ovation as he graduated, among friends and other students at J.P. Taravella High School. “That will be one of the enduring memories of my life,” Gloria said. “To miss so many months of school and still be an honor student is amazing. The applause that he received made me realize just how popular my son is among his peers.”

Stern is busy these days getting ready to move to Tallahassee where he will attend Florida State University. “I will miss my family and friends. The whole lifestyle will be different, but I am excited. I will be taking political science as my major. As for the future, I haven’t focused yet on what I want to do.”