On his first day of school in America, his father carried him as they entered the building.

He was 14 years old, and his family couldn’t afford a wheelchair.

This is the story of senior Ibra Samia, who was born in Kenya with athetoid cerebral palsy.

Athetoid cerebral palsy is a dyskinetic type of cerebral palsy that includes involuntary movement in the arms, legs, and hands. Even though he is constantly in pain, Samia still manages to spread happiness everywhere he goes. “Given the situation that he’s in…he’s always still a very positive individual,” science teacher Matthew Johnson said.

Johnson has known Samia for five years, and has worked as Samia’s paraeducator for two years. The two have grown close to each other, developing a special bond. Johnson even took it upon himself to take over the GoFundMe page for Samia after the Learning for Independence program created it last year. “At the end of the summer I kind of took it over and went to videos and social media with it,” Johnson said.

Students have also been a great support to Samia. Junior Brandon Rodriguez has been a great help to Samia since the beginning of the school year. Rodriguez has emailed news stations, getting their attention, and having them interview Samia. Rodriguez was not expecting this outpouring of support. “I [think nearly] 20,000 people reach out to news stations each day, and they heard me out and they came,” Rodriguez said. 

Samia’s effect on the people around him is truly life changing because of his positivity and inability to give up. “[He] makes me rethink my life, and when I’m having a bad day…I think about him and [remind] myself and that it could be worse,” Johnson said. “[He’s taught me] to be positive, and stay humble.”

Rodriguez has developed a strong relationship with Samia. “[Samia has] been through so much and he keeps a smile on his face,” Rodriguez said. Rodriguez even went to the County Council with Ibra on October 6 to accept Samia’s proclamation. “Going to his Proclamation…was an honor because [Samia], to me, is like a brother.”