6-Year-Old in Wheelchair Surprises Family by Walking at Graduation, Leaving Mom in Tears (Exclusive)

One young boy is showing nan world that nary obstruction is excessively large to break.

Last May, 6-year-old Finley "Finn" Williamson brought his family to tears erstwhile he stood up to judge his kindergarten diploma. For nan Colorado Springs, Colo., native, it was a infinitesimal years successful nan making.

Diagnosed pinch Noonan syndrome (SHOC2 variant) astatine conscionable 2 months old, Finn lives pinch a uncommon familial upset caused by mutations successful nan SHOC2 gene, which affects his mobility and wide development. He uses a G-tube for each of his nutrition, relies connected a wheelchair aliases walker to get around, wears AFO braces for stableness and needs glasses to thief pinch his vision.

"His version is caller and not good studied," says his mom, Mackenzie Williamson, successful an exclusive question and reply pinch PEOPLE. "It affects his bosom truthful we dream his bosom stays unchangeable and he tin unrecorded a agelong life. He mightiness ever request mobility support and eating support, but we are not sure."

Still, thing slows him down.

“He loves trucks, video games, superhero movies, and swinging astatine recess — his schoolhouse moreover has a typical plaything conscionable for him,” Mackenzie, who besides has 2 different children, adds.

“He is truthful benignant and thoughtful,” she adds. “He’s very cautious and empathetic astir others’ feelings. If different kids are mean to him, he ever gives them nan use of nan uncertainty and says, ‘They mightiness beryllium having a difficult day.’ ”

Since his diagnosis, Finn, now 7, has been successful beingness therapy — starting successful nan NICU. In total, he’s completed astir 400 intensive sessions, each building up to that unforgettable infinitesimal connected stage.

But for Mackenzie, 30, nan infinitesimal came arsenic a complete surprise.

“I thought he was going to instrumentality across, but astatine nan past minute, he called his dada complete and told him he wanted to walk,” she recalls. “I was shocked!”

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“My bosom was bursting pinch joy," nan mom adds. "I managed to say, ‘Good job, buddy,’ done nan tears, but I was conscionable successful awe watching him. He was truthful proud of himself and loved that his classmates shouted him on. His schoolhouse has been astonishing to him!”

With each nan negativity she often sees online, Mackenzie wanted to stock a small joy.

After immoderate backmost and forth, she precocious decided to station nan video to TikTok. Her dream was to animate others and show that kids pinch different conditions merit to beryllium recognized and celebrated.

"He is not 'less than' because of his diagnosis. He is unthinkable and has a unsocial diagnosis," nan mom says.

Then, she watched nan video summation traction. Overnight, it racked up much than 250,000 views and thousands of comments.

"It was amazing," Mackenzie says. "We were reference nan comments together and he was shocked astatine each of nan countries group were cheering him connected from!"

"One mom precocious had her boy diagnosed pinch a uncommon familial information and felt overwhelmed," she adds. "We chatted a bit, and I told her really I was capable to study and turn complete nan years. It is truthful bully to beryllium location for different group who are successful akin situations. We relied connected other, much knowledgeable families erstwhile we were first diagnosed arsenic well."

Since posting nan video, Mackenzie says it has encouraged Finn successful truthful galore ways. And while nan family doesn’t cognize precisely wherever this will lead, they dream to proceed advocating for families of children pinch varying needs.

"Finn's younger sister, Emma, is only a twelvemonth younger than him but has taken connected nan domiciled of helper and cheerleader truthful well," Mackenzie says. "She was nan champion point we could person done for him." 

"I dream each varieties of group are shouted connected ... nary matter nan disablement aliases circumstance," nan mom adds. "Everyone has their ain timing and path, but we are each worthy."