Aaron Phelps, a high school student in Northern California, has graduated from Rodriguez High School, completing his secondary education despite living with Type 1 spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), a rare genetic disease. Phelps utilized a telepresence robot to attend classes remotely throughout his high school career.
Diagnosed with SMA as an infant, Phelps faced a grim prognosis, as the disease typically has an average life expectancy of less than two years and a survival rate around 10%. SMA causes motor neurons to die, leading to muscle weakness, wasting, and respiratory complications.
Through a connection with researchers at Stanford and the University of Utah, Phelps was able to access an experimental drug that contributed to his survival. Despite spending much of his life in his bedroom, Phelps pursued his education and creative interests. He created a documentary highlighting his life with SMA, which was selected as a finalist for the All-American High School International Film Festival in New York City in 2023. This made him one of the first film students in his school district to reach that level of competition.
Phelps plans to attend Arizona State University after graduation and aspires to work for Disney as a disability advocate. His journey marks a significant milestone in his academic and personal life, demonstrating resilience in the face of significant health challenges.
