CHICAGO (WLS) -- A special graduation was held at Lurie Children's Hospital on Wednesday.

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Earlier this year, Taevion Norris was diagnosed with Duchenne muscular dystrophy, also known as DMD.

His mother said his teachers were first to tell her that Norris was struggling in gym class. After seeing a specialist at Lurie's he was officially diagnosed.

"It starts off as skeletal muscle weakness that progresses to respiratory and then cardiac muscle weakness," said Dr. Katheryn Gambetta, a pediatric cardiologist at Lurie's.

Doctors said DMD led his heart to go into failure. Now, the 18-year-old is waiting for a new heart.

However, hospital staff wanted to make sure he had a proper high school graduation.

Dressed in full cap and gown

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