Burn survivor Adrianna Laing honoured as inspiration at Maggotty High graduation

Burn survivor Adrianna Laing, whose story captured national attention, today received special recognition for resilience and inspiration at her graduation from Maggotty High School in St Elizabeth.

During his address, Maggotty High principal Sean Graham praised the 16-year-old for her strength, saying she has served as an inspiration to the school community.

“With that unbreakable determination, this student has done well and is a part of our graduating class. Many times we doubted if she would ever return to school,” said Graham.

“She has gone through months of rehabilitation and endured physical pain. She had to overcome COVID-19 and fight through Hurricane Melissa,” he added.

The graduation was held under the theme: "Experience Excellence: Rising Above the Storm, Ready for Tomorrow."

Laing was hailed as a testament to resilience, courage, and determination in the face of unimaginable loss.

She survived a 2022 house fire in Springfield, Westmoreland, that claimed the lives of her seven-year-old twin siblings, Jayden and Jorden.

To date, she has undergone 28 surgeries.

Laing wears a prosthetic leg donated by a volunteer from Springfield in the United States.

Boston-based Shriners Children's Hospital in the United States will continue to provide care for her until she is 21 years old.

- Ashley Anguin

Follow The Gleaner on X, formerly Twitter, and Instagram @JamaicaGleaner and on Facebook @GleanerJamaica. Send us a message on WhatsApp at 1-876-499-0169 or email us at onlinefeedback@gleanerjm.com or editors@gleanerjm.com.