Student Overcomes Rare Disease to Graduate High School

A student from Northern California has achieved a significant milestone by graduating high school despite battling a rare disease. Aaron Phelps, who attended Rodriguez High School in Fairfield, used a telepresence robot to attend classes while living with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), a genetic condition associated with a limited life expectancy.

Aaron was born with Type 1 SMA, a rare illness that typically impacts motor neuron function and can severely limit muscle strength. His mother, Meri Stratton, recalls a routine checkup when Aaron was just two months old. It was then that a neurologist confirmed the diagnosis of SMA. She remembers the neurologist expressing concerns, specifically mentioning that many children diagnosed with this condition often do not survive.

SMA leads to degeneration of motor neurons in the spinal cord, resulting in muscle weakness and respiratory issues. Thankfully, Aaron’s life was prolonged due to his mother’s connections with researchers from Stanford University and the University of Utah who were developing experimental treatments.

Although Aaron has spent a significant amount of time confined to his bedroom, he has found motivation through his challenges. He has created a documentary focusing on his experience as one of the few survivors of SMA. “This film captures how spinal muscular atrophy has impacted my life, and I hope it changes how people perceive children with disabilities,” he stated.

His documentary became a finalist at the 2023 National High School International Film Festival in New York City, marking a notable achievement as one of the first film students from his district to compete.

Having graduated, Aaron plans to attend Arizona State University and has aspirations of working with Disney, specifically in a role that supports people with disabilities.