At the tail end of Hopkinton’s graduating class filing into the Durgin Pulling Arena, Constantine Salce rolled in with a bright smile, his electric wheelchair carrying him into a well-earned moment of celebration.

Diagnosed with Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA), a progressive genetic condition that weakens muscles and limits mobility, Salce has lived with the disease since he was just eight months old.

Salce said the way he approached high school wasn’t much different from his peers.

“For the most part, I’m pretty included in school,” said Salce. “I’m basically like any other teenage boy that plays video games and watches Star Wars.”

That sense of belonging was unmistakable as the crowd in the arena erupted in cheers and applause when Salce crossed the stage in his wheelchair, wearing dark green robes, to receive his diploma on Friday evening.

Salce will be attending New England College in the fall to study comic art.

The sense of support from both staff and classmates was something that other students, like Michael Pantoma, the valedictorian, also experienced.

Pantoma moved from Pennsylvania in the sixth grade and was placed in a regular math class while all his friends were in advanced math.

When he told his classmates he would try to join the advanced class, he was met with encouragement instead of teasing.

Although it was a small gesture, it made a huge difference to him, said Pantoma.

“It was just enough to make me believe I could do it and with that support, I made it,” Pantoma said. “I started to believe I could excel academically.”

While many students could fully engage in academics and extracurricular activities, Salce faced limitations due to his medical condition. He could not participate in sports, a major part of the school district’s culture.

But he found other meaningful ways to contribute.

“With this disability, though, I’ve been able to improve other parts of me,” said Salce. “Mentally and emotionally, I like helping people around like bringing people up.”

To get to the rustic barn where the ceremony was held, a friend sheltered Salce from the pouring rain with an umbrella, carefully guiding him along the packed gravel path.

Throughout high school, Salce said he had been an advocate for accessible spaces and facilities—a mission he plans to continue as he heads to college.

It’s especially important to Salce because he said he missed out on many school trips when accommodations weren’t arranged in advance, preventing him from participating.

“I want to be part of the class,” said Salce. “People with disabilities just want to feel included.”

 

Sruthi Gopalakrishnan can be reached at sgopalakrishnan@cmonitor.com