Monday was a special milestone for a 9-year-old who underwent a heart transplant over the summer: The first day back to school.
Michael Deiter was one of 1,655 people to receive a heart transplant in the United States this year. His was especially rare, because only one out of every six transplants is performed on a child.
On Monday, Deiter returned to Our Lady of Lourdes School to a warm welcome. It was his first day at school in six months.
Principal Chris Kolakovich said Deiter is inspiring lessons that can’t be taught in the classroom.
“I think they can learn to face adversity with courage,” he said. “I think that’s what we all learned from Michael.”
Deiter still visits doctors for weekly lab tests and has clinic appointments every three weeks. But, his mother says, he’s gaining weight, which is another positive sign in his recovery.