WELLESLEY, Mass. -- Jonathan Laughead has pictured himself stepping up to the platform to receive his high school diploma. Then, cancer got in his way, but with the help of new technology, the Wellesley student is walking toward his goal.
NewsCenter 5's Rhonda Mann said that the Wellesley High School seniors practiced for Friday night's big event.
They will walk up to the podium and get their diploma. Among them, most amazingly, will be Jonathan Laughead.
"It's awesome," Laughead said. "It's been a long journey, but I did it!"
Laughead was diagnosed with bone cancer three years ago. He was in hospitals and wheelchairs for much of his high school career.
Then in April, more sad news, Laughead would need to have his left leg amputated.
"The night before his surgery, he wanted me to massage his left foot and leg so he would have pleasant final memories of it," Laughead's mother, Janet, said.
Jonathan Laughead was sent to
Next Step in Manchester, N.H.
"I can put someone in a socket right away and can get results that normally come six years to a year down the road," Next Step Prosthetics spokesman Peter Couture said.
"He said, 'Mom, that's the best thing. Now I'm going to be able to play Frisbee again, basketball again. All those things I couldn't do -- I'll be able to do,'" Janet Laughead said. "It's been a long time coming and I'm going to be so proud of him walking across that stage. To go out and face the world as he has done without his leg with no apologies, makes me very proud."
There is no sign of cancer in Laughead's body. He will take next year off to learn to walk.
"And heal and just learn to walk and get my act together, then after that, whatever's possible," Laughead said.
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