News

WNDU Mobile Site >> News

Send Edwardsburg teen fights illness, graduates

All fields are required

Back to Home

Edwardsburg teen fights illness, graduates

Posted: 8:56 PM Jun 6, 2010
Reporter: Nick McGurk

Edwardsburg teen fights illness, graduates

"Ever since he was a little boy he's said mom, I wanna stay with my class, I wanna graduate with my class,” said Tammy Boyer, Matthew’s mother.

But it almost didn’t happen.

Boyer has struggled with digesting food since birth. Doctors removed his large bowel at age 4.

Matthew has spent time in hospitals all over the country, from Riley’s in Indianapolis to the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota.

Earlier this week, Boyer lay in bed, surrounded by family at Memorial Hospital.

"Just as long as I get to walk across that stage and get that diploma, that's all I care about,” said Matt, a tube in his nose.

From that bed he took the last of his high school finals. At that point, he said he was positive he’d walk with his class.

"Even up to yesterday, it wasn't a guarantee,” said Tim Boyer, Matt’s father, on Sunday.

That’s because after Matt left the hospital Thursday, he had to return Friday. H e was too dehydrated and couldn't hold anything down.

But on Sunday, an Edwardsburg ambulance brought him to graduation. He was dressed in a suit and tie under his graduation gown.

“Pretty excited, yeah -- I’m really excited,” said Boyer before leaving the ambulance.

Soon, he would walk across the stage.

His little brother Andrew has been at the side of Matt’s hospital bed time after time.

"Great feeling, watching him walk across the stage even though he didn't think he would make it, a great goal to set,” said Andrew.

"Today's the best day ever, this was one of the three goals he wanted to achieve,” said Tim, Matt’s dad.

“He wanted first to become a teenager, then graduate high school, and he wants to compete a degree,” Tim added.

The day, then, is special.

"Been a long time waiting I guess you could say,” said Matt.

“Pretty exciting,” he said.

But in some ways, the diploma is just a start.

Because the story of Matt Boyer is a story of hope.

"It's an inspirational story, it really is,” said Don Quimby, principal of Edwardsburg High School.

“He's always had a positive attitude about it, he's never been down, he's been an inspiration to me, actually -- more than me to him,” said Quimby.

Inspiring others -- just by being Matt.

Matt plans to attend Bethel College next fall. As for Sunday, he was taken back to Memorial Hospital shortly after graduation ended. His parents plan to drive him to the Mayo Clinic on Monday for more treatment.