Graduation ceremony held for teen living with several diseases at Ronald McDonald House

CINCINNATI (WXIX/Gray News) - Thursday was a day of celebration for a 17-year-old as he earned his high school diploma during a special ceremony.

Most high schoolers spend their days in class or hanging out with friends.

For 17-year-old Jayden Scott, more than 600 days of his high school life were spent at the Ronald McDonald House in Cincinnati.

Thursday was a day for celebration as he was showered with applause as the Ronald McDonald House hosted a graduation ceremony just for Scott.

“I am really grateful he’s here to have this day,” Scott’s mother, Anna Caldwell, said. “I don’t care that it’s not the normal because it’s just amazing that he gets to do it.”

Thursday marked Scott’s nearly 630th day spent at the Ronald McDonald House.

“He has several diseases actually,” Caldwell explained. “The main ones are Nephrotic syndrome with focal segmental glomerular sclerosis. That’s an incurable kidney disease. From that, [he] also gained heart failure. He has a lot going on, but those are the main ones that brought us to Cincinnati.”

Caldwell says Scott receiving his diploma might not have been possible without his care team. She says she is happy to celebrate his achievements with them.

“When we got here, Jayden was extremely ill,” Caldwell said. “We weren’t sure he was even going to make it. So, we came here not even knowing if we were going to leave with him, but it was the only shot we had left. Everyone here has just been amazing and supportive. The staff is family.”

In addition to his diploma, Scott received some candy and money.

After over 600 days at the Ronald McDonald House, Scott’s family hopes they can go home soon.

They currently live in Indiana, but once Scott is able, they would like to move to Kentucky.

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