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'Walking the stage' has special meaning for Veterans Memorial student

'John J' has cerebral palsy, which confines him to a wheelchair. He set a special goal to walk the stage like the rest of his peers and he accomplished it.

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — Correction: 3NEWS was misinformed as to John Martinez's diagnosis. He has cerebral palsy, not muscular dystrophy. 

Original: 

A student at Veterans Memorial High School, John Josiah Martinez achieved a huge goal by graduating high school Sunday. 

"John J," as they call him, has cerebral palsy which has him in a wheelchair. He had a special goal to walk the stage like the rest of his peers and he accomplished it.

Principal Scott Walker told 3NEWS that "John J" teamed up with his therapists from Driscoll Children's Hospital, his teachers from adaptive education and other staff to accomplish his goal.

The entire audience and students from the school gave him a much-deserved standing ovation.

Walker added that John is a wonderful young man and an amazing student.

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