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Two Chicago men who suffered spinal cord injuries when they were shot have received a new lease on life in more ways than one, after the Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵÍøÕ¾ rehabilitation hospital helped them get their GEDs.
Leo Leyva, 26, was shot when he was 18, and left paralyzed from the waist down. He¡¯s been through a lot of struggles getting accustomed to life in a wheelchair but he said he¡¯s looking forward now. Leyva said there were times afterward when he wanted to give up. Leyva and Charles Winters were the first two graduates of a new GED program at the Shirley Ryan Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵÍøÕ¾ ¨C formerly the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago.
¡°This is an incredibly proud day. It¡¯s a proud day for your family, your friends, our staff,¡± said Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵÍøÕ¾ chief operating officer Peggy Kirk.
Both graduates were beaming as they received their diplomas, surrounded by family.
¡°It¡¯s been a long journey. It¡¯s a great day. I¡¯m happy to be here. I¡¯m happy that I fought the long journey, and here we are,¡± Leyva said.
Leyva said he¡¯s proud of his accomplishments so far, physically, emotionally, and educationally. He¡¯s now hoping to become a pharmacist.
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