SARASOTA COUNTY, Fla. — In 2020, 14-year-old Jacob Brewer was on vacation with his family in Siesta Key Beach when he was struck by lightning. Four years, later he graduated high school as salutatorian.
It was just an average beach day and he and his family were walking across the sand when all of a sudden his mother Barbara heard ringing in her ears and everyone fell to the ground. Jacob was hit by lightning. The teen was rushed to the hospital while paramedics tried to do CPR to restart his heart.
After the incident, Jacob was paralyzed from the waist down. He visited more than 20 different doctors and specialists throughout his recovery journey while taking online classes through Texas Success Academy to earn his high school diploma.
"I have ever-increasing movement in my legs and a high school diploma. Two things I once thought I would never have," he said in his graduation speech.
On June 15, Jacob graduated with a 4.11 GPA and received a standing ovation for his speech. His message was for his fellow graduates to persevere through whatever they might be going through.
"He was undergoing 30 hours of physical therapy per week. On top of that, he traveled across the world seeking medical assistance," Barbara wrote in a Facebook post.
Despite his personal struggles, Jacob persevered at was able to complete high school and at the top of his class. In his moving speech, he urged his fellow classmates that they also can overcome whatever adversity they may face in the future and it's important to never give up.
"By sharing his story, Jacob aims to inspire others to persist through their own obstacles," Barabara wrote. "How this kid continues to fight and hold onto hope... I don't know."
