‘Just keep going’: G-C grad encourages positivity in the face of adversity

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Gavin Ramsey, 18, will graduate from Greenfield-Central High School with the rest of the Class of 2022. Being afflicted with muscular dystrophy and severe scoliosis hasn’t stopped him from succeeding. He plans to study pre-pharmacy at Purdue University this fall.

Tom Russo | Daily Reporter

GREENFIELD — Gavin Ramsey’s first introduction to Greenfield-Central High School did not go well, to say the least.

When the soon-to-be-graduate first came to tour the school as an eighth-grader, the wheeled walker he was using slipped on the ice and flipped over, breaking his leg.

The injury was physically a tipping point for Gavin, who was born with muscular dystrophy and severe scoliosis. Because he was in a cast for eight weeks, he was unable to rebuild the lost muscle mass. The young man who had been getting around on a cane and the wheeled walker was told by doctors that he’d be wheelchair-bound for the rest of his life.

Gavin Ramsey, 18, will graduate from Greenfield-Central High School with the rest of the Class of 2022. Being afflicted with muscular dystrophy and severe scoliosis hasn’t stopped him from succeeding. He plans to study pre-pharmacy at Purdue University this fall. Tom Russo | Daily Reporter

“I was out of commission for a while and had to relearn everything. It took a long while to get used to being in a wheelchair full-time,” he said.

Flash forward to today — Gavin was selected by high school staff as an upcoming graduate who best embodies the spirit of strength in the face of adversity.

“He will graduate with an academic honors diploma and is one of the sweetest kids you’ll ever meet,” said Kim Kile, director of counseling at the high school.

His mother, Hollie Ramsey, said she couldn’t be more proud of her son, who will cross the stage with his classmates at commencement June 4 in the school gym.

“He’s my inspiration,” said his mom. “Everything that we’ve been through, to see him do it all so positively, he’s my inspiration to stay positive through it all.”

Being born with two debilitating conditions isn’t all that Gavin has had to overcome.

In 2014, his older brother Cody was killed in a motorcycle accident, just a year after graduating from high school. Cody was the oldest of Hollie and Gary Ramsey’s three sons. The youngest brother, Devin, will be a sophomore at Greenfield-Central next year.

Shortly after his brother died, Gavin had to have two knee surgeries and a surgery on his back to address his scoliosis, which required him to wear a back brace through eighth grade. Because he’s allergic to anesthesia, he’s had his surgeries at Riley Hospital for Children, where the staff can closely monitor him and take extra precautions.

“Gavin’s been through a lot,” said his mom, who marvels at her son’s positive attitude.

Even when Gavin became wheelchair-bound four years ago, she said he’s maintained a spirit of positivity and determination.

Ramsey said the key to overcoming adversity is to “look ahead and don’t give up. You’ve just gotta keep going no matter what.”

Hollie Ramsay praised Greenfield-Central school staff members who met with the family each year to go over adaptations Gavin might need. They were more than accommodating to find a way to enable him to cross the stage at commencement in his wheelchair, she said.

“His assistant principals (Nathan) Bruck and (Susie) Coleman have been instrumental in making sure that Gavin had a normal high school journey just like everyone else.”

While he’s needed some physical accommodations, Gavin has excelled academically and will graduate with an academic honors diploma and several college credits.

In August, he’ll move to Purdue University’s campus to start classes in the pre-pharmacy program with plans of becoming a pharmacist someday.

“I just couldn’t be more proud of him,” his mom said. “He has had a lot of adversity in life, but he’s held his chin up more than others and has succeeded in everything he’s tried. He’s always had a great group of friends and has just done everything that any other student would do. There’s nothing that has held him back. He’s never let the back brace or the wheelchair stop him from being just one of the other kids.”

Last year, Gavin achieved a major milestone by learning to drive through the Indiana Vocational Rehabilitation program.

Now he has a disability adapted vehicle he’s used to drive himself to school, and he loves to drive his family just about anywhere they need to go.

“He loves to play chauffeur,” said his mom.

Gavin said he’s looking forward to the next step in his independence when he goes away to college.

“I’m excited to really just get out on my own to where it’s just me worrying about me for a while. I’m excited about the new experience,” he said.

No matter where he goes, the young man said he’ll always have fond memories of his time at Greenfield-Central High School, where he took part in a number of clubs and played trumpet for two years in the band.

“I love the people here. The teachers are awesome, the staff is great, and I’ve made a lot of good friends here. I’m looking forward to making more good memories with them this summer,” he said.