Teen Caring For Cancer-Stricken Mother Banned From Walking at Graduation

For most schools, walking across the stage at graduation is seen as a privilege for the students. If a student gets that privilege revoked, they must have done something pretty bad, right? Well, that's not always the case.

In Carrollton, Ohio, high school senior Austin Fisher will not be allowed to walk at his graduation due to excessive absences. The cause of the absences? He was caring for his sick mother who is battling breast cancer.

As reported by Cleveland Fox affiliate WJW, Fisher has missed 16 days during his senior year none of which have technically been excused. The Carrollton school district caps the number of absences allowable for a student to walk with his or her graduation class at 14, a number which means that Fisher will not be able to walk across the stage with the rest of his classmates.

For Fisher and other seniors at the school, that seems extremely unfair, particularly because all of his absences were brought on by his own heroic efforts to care for his mother, as he is the only other person who lives in their household.

Seriously, Ohio? This kid has worked harder in his senior year than some students do during their entire high school career. He took care of his mother while keeping his grades up and playing on a varsity baseball team. He has earned that diploma, and he's certainly earned the privilege to walk across that stage. What's the harm is letting one very deserving  student walk? There are exceptions to the rule, and this is one of those times.

And personally speaking, I think this young man deserves way more than just a diploma; he deserves a medal.