Despite obstacles, determined student graduates from UT

Matthew Thornton walked across a stage at the University of Tampa on Dec. 17 and received his diploma.

For Thornton, 24, son of Jon and D.J. Thornton of Brandon, the journey to that moment was arduous.

Matthew Thornton's cerebral palsy was diagnosed when he was 16 months old. Since then nothing has been easy, his mother said.

In spite of difficulties with motor skills, auditory processing and an occasional minor seizure, the Brandon resident did not miss a day of school in 13 years, from kindergarten through 12th grade. He considers that his biggest achievement.

After his graduation in 2006 from Brandon High School, his perfect-attendance record was celebrated by the members of the Hillsborough County School Board, who invited him to lead the Pledge of Allegiance at a 2007 countywide teachers' gathering.

"Because I was born with cerebral palsy, which affected the right side of my body, in elementary school and beyond my accommodation was extra time," said Thornton, whose challenges are not readily apparent; he walks without assistance and speaks articulately.

But getting around is hard for Thornton, so he attended small schools with few physical barriers such as stairs.

His teachers, Thornton said, were supportive and offered one-on-one attention when needed.

Still, "Sometimes I felt like quitting," he said, "especially during my pre-teen and adolescent years. But by my junior and senior years of high school, I felt it was time to put these negative ideas behind me and focus on the future.

"Luckily, I've been able to graduate high school and college," he said.

"The world is one big adventure in which you can either succeed or fail. My parents always said, 'You can't fail, so long as you do your best,' and 'hopefully you'll succeed at whatever you do.'"

Everyone in his family has influenced his progress, including his dad, who owns and operates Specified Architectural Systems Inc.; and his 20-year-old sister, Katie. But his mom has been Thornton's chief chauffeur, tutor, unofficial physical therapist, advocate, school volunteer and cheerleader.

She does so while dealing with chronic eye problems.

"It takes a village," she said, laughing. "We depend on the kindness of friends and neighbors. People shouldn't be shy about asking for help. Matthew knows when he needs help and accepts it so graciously. He has an incredible attitude."

Now that he's done with school, he acknowledged, "Worrying about the future is stressful."

But, he said, "Getting stressed out doesn't get it done; doing it gets it done." So he plans to start a job search after the holidays.

"I feel it's best if you follow your goals and don't let anyone discourage you," he said. "Concentrate on what's important to you. If you're unable to go through a wall, climb over it or find a way to break through."