KALAMAZOO, Mich. — A Gull Lake High School student diagnosed with an incurable heart condition has achieved his two biggest wishes: graduating high school and getting his own side-by-side.
Dawson Noaeill is 18 years old. "I have a bad heart," Dawson said.
Dawson's had eight heart surgeries in his 18 years, and most recently learned his body is too weak to survive a heart transplant.
Dawson has Heterotaxy, which is a rare heart condition affecting less than 1% of children. Dr. Ryan Halas, Pediatric Cardiologist at Bronson Children's Hospital, explained Heterotaxy occurs when one half of the heart hardly forms at all.
"The technical name for it is double outlet, right ventricle," Dr. Halas said.
Dr. Halas also noted that Dawson doesn't have enough oxygen in his blood, which is what makes his skin and lips look blue.
Still, Dawson's defying the odds, accepting his diploma Thursday. Dawson graduated a year early from Gull Lake High School.
"They could only give medications to prolong life, which doesn't mean he's going anywhere today, but it does mean that in time, he's going to get sicker," Dawson's mom, Kristina Noaeill said.
So Thursday's graduation ceremony was a milestone Noaeill wasn't sure they'd reach. "I never knew that we'd make it to this day, and we're here... and we're all very excited," Noaeill said.
Dawson is looking forward to spending the summer riding in his side-by-side, which was gifted to him by Zeigler Motorsports the last time I spoke with Dawson.
Dawson also received a special video message from his favorite NFL quarterback that day, Brock Purdy.
So despite the challenges, Dawson celebrated his graduation by walking across the stage with his classmate and cousin, and plans to enjoy his summer days riding in his side-by-side.
"It's almost like a wedding," Noaeill said. "It's one of those huge moments in life that you don't know how many you're going to get."
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