06/18/2026
Today, Tanner graduated 8th grade. Next year he moves to the High School.
What a year this has been.
This kid started the school year doing schoolwork from a hospital bed. Let that sink in for a second. While most kids were worrying about schedules, lockers, and seeing their friends, Tanner was learning from a rehab room, navigating a life that had changed in an instant.
But if there’s one thing Tanner has shown us, it’s that even a spinal cord injury doesn’t get to decide his determination.
He slowly eased his way back into school, starting with just a few hours at a time, then adding more and more each day, month after month, until he worked his way back to full days. And he did all of that while balancing countless therapies, doctor appointments, exercises, and everything else that comes with life after a spinal cord injury.
He also had to learn entirely new ways to do things most of us take for granted. With very limited hand movement, he learned how to use a stylus and iPad to complete schoolwork, adapting, problem-solving, and refusing to let barriers stop him.
And school didn’t end when the school day ended.
Because of missed class time for appointments and therapies, Tanner spent countless hours outside of school making up work. Most weeks, there simply weren’t enough hours in the day, so weekends became catch-up time too. While other kids were sleeping in, hanging out with friends, or heading to sports practices, Tanner was often doing homework, attending therapy, or putting in the hard work to gain strength, movement, and independence.
And beyond the physical challenges, he carried stress and life changes that were incredibly heavy. He carried grief. He carried frustration. He carried uncertainty about what the future might look like. He carried burdens that would be hard for most adults to bear, yet somehow he kept moving forward.
He carried a plate that most adults would struggle to carry, and he did it with more grit, resilience, and strength than I can even put into words.
We are unbelievably proud of him, not just for pushing through physically, but for never giving up mentally. He kept his grades high. He kept his sense of humor. He kept his spirit intact on most days, even when the days were hard… and there were plenty of hard days.
Tanner, you continue to amaze us.
As you head into high school, I already know one thing for sure: you are going to keep advocating for yourself, speaking up for what you need, pushing boundaries, and proving that limitations do not define you.
You have already taught so many people what true strength looks like.
8th grade graduate.
High school, here he comes.
And we couldn’t be prouder. ❤️
