Students salute disabled classmate

By TAYLOR BROWN

tbrown@yourmvi.com

Despite social distancing, Michael “Moo” Purbaugh has made some new friends during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Michael, who has cerebral palsy and a host of other medical issues, is wheelchair bound.

He has attended the Western Pennsylvania School for Blind Children since he was 3 years old, but is also a 2020 Ringgold graduate this year.

Though he has not met many of his Ringgold classmates, more than a dozen students banded together last week to make sure Michael felt like a true Ram.

Ringgold senior Jillian Scherer organized the event.

Last week, Jillian and 13 other students grabbed balloons — one of Michael’s favorite things — and drove past his house in Carroll Township to celebrate his accomplishments.

His mother, Heather, said balloons hold a special meaning to both of them.

In 2010, Michael became sick with a virus and was placed on a ventilator after being hospitalized with pneumonia and upper respiratory problems.

As hebegan to recover, the Disney Pixar movie “Up” was released.

While watching “Up,” his mother, Heather, was able to hold Michael for the first time since his illness.

“That was the first movie, after he came off the ventilator, that I got to hold him and we watched it together,” she said. “So it is a special movie for us and he has loved balloons ever since.”

Though Michael has limited mobility, balloons motivate him, she said.

“Moo loves balloons,” his mother said. “He isn’t able to move much, but loves to bounce the balloons and they help motivate him to move his left arm.”

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