In life, there are often second chances. And for one teenager, his life is full of those – and each one more miraculous than the last. Joseph Bommarito Autman, an 18-year-old high school senior, missed his graduation due to a life-changing heart transplant surgery.
Autman, who has lived with congestive heart failure for most of his life, had been waiting on the heart transplant list for months. When he finally received the call that a new heart was available at the Loma Linda University Children’s Hospital, his family seized the opportunity, even though it coincided with his high school graduation.
“When I got on the transplant list, they said it could take up to years, decades to get new hearts,” Autman said.
It took me like a couple months and here I am with a new heart.”
But, thanks to the collaborative efforts of medical professionals, teachers, and his parents, Autman was honored with a special graduation ceremony in the hospital. There was no way his friends and family were going to let him miss another special day. “I wasn’t even expecting it,” Autman recalled. “They just woke me up. They said, ‘Put your cap and gown on.'”
Joseph Bommarito Autman recently received a heart transplant but his nurses, family and school officials wouldn’t let that keep him from graduating. Photo courtesy of the Scholarship Region
Guided by his parents, Autman walked down the hospital hallway to a room filled with his teachers, pediatric cardiologist Dr. Natalie Shwaish, and other medical staff. The room was decorated with banners signed by classmates, balloons, and his diploma. “He never wavered in trying hard,” said Sjana Autman, his mother. “He had to try harder than the other children.” Autman’s perseverance is remarkable, considering he had four heart surgeries before turning four and struggled with learning difficulties due to his heart condition.
“He didn’t just graduate, he got a heart transplant,” Dr. Shwaish added. “Five days ago. We found a wonderful heart for him from a very generous donor.” Although Autman is expected to stay in the hospital for several more weeks and then recover at home over the summer, this marks a new beginning in his educational journey.
He plans to start college at Mt. San Jacinto College in the fall. “I could not have done this by myself,” Autman emphasized. “I don’t think anybody could have done this. This is all a culmination of many people’s efforts.” Reflecting on his experience, Autman expressed a renewed sense of purpose. “This has given me, like, a second wind, you know. Not as much a second chance, but a second wind. Now I get to have a new drive, a new passion again.”
Despite the challenges, Autman’s graduation was a moment of triumph, blending the celebration of his academic achievements with the joy of receiving a life-saving transplant. “When I got on the transplant list, they said it could take up to years, decades to get new hearts,” he said.
It took me like a couple months and here I am with a new heart.”
Dr. Shwaish acknowledged the generous donor whose heart now beats within Autman, highlighting the importance of organ donation. In the makeshift graduation room, masked and emotional, family, friends, and hospital staff celebrated Autman’s milestone.
“I could not have done this by myself,” Autman reiterated. “It’s a culmination of many people’s efforts … This has given me a second wind, not as much of a second chance, but a second wind. Now, I get to have a new drive and new passion again.”
