Of all the stories coming out of graduation ceremonies across the country right now, the very sweetest story has to be that of Judy O’Connor and her son Marty O’Connor in Orange County, California. Their story is so heartwarming, you are almost certainly going to need a box of tissues.
Videos by InspireMore
Back in 2012, Marty fell down a flight of stairs and became paralyzed from the shoulders down. As a former competitive snowboarder and volleyball player, he knew that he had to push himself to attend physical therapy five days a week in order for his body to be in a better place.
In a blog he wrote for Chapman University, he added that, “While my body was in a better place because of that, mentally, I was just kind of lost. I needed that mental challenge and wanted to add some professional value to myself.”
DailyMail
Just two years before his accident, Marty had graduated from the University of Colorado in 2010. After he realized that he needed a new mental challenge to inspire him, Marty decided to go back to school and work towards receiving an MBA from Chapman University.
Of course, as a quadriplegic, there was only so much that Marty was able to physically carry out on his own. With the use of his iPad, laptop, mouth stick, and voice recognition software, Marty asked his mother for the huge favor of help with getting to class and taking notes.
The Orange County Register
That’s how it came to be that Judy ended up attending each and every class of Marty’s graduate MBA program at his side.
When it came time for Marty to graduate in May, he asked the school if it would be possible to surprise his mother with an honorary degree at his graduation. The school officials at Chapman University were thrilled at the idea.
As soon as she pushed Marty in his wheelchair across the stage to receive his diploma, Judy found herself pulled back to the center for her own moment in the spotlight. The announcer in the video below can be heard getting emotional as she lets the crowd know that Judy was receiving this honorary degree because she has worked tirelessly at Marty’s side throughout his entire graduate career.
Facebook
Now that Marty is done with his graduate degree he already has plans for his career; he will be going to work as the head of corporate sponsorships for a small youth action sports startup called DIVERTcity where he will be able to use both his experience as a snowboarder and his education together.
Watch the tear-jerking video below. What an incredible moment for both mother and son!
Share this story with your family and friends if you were touched by their love for each other.
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