After Surviving Family Tragedies, Stroke, and Coma, Teen Walks in Her Graduation Ceremony

One Connecticut teen’s high school graduation marked so much more than an educational achievement. For 18-year-old Bella Chambasis, walking across the stage showed she was a fighter. After overcoming kidney failure, a stroke, a coma, and the deaths of her sister and father, the strong teen proved to everyone that nothing can keep her down.

Bella Chambasis’ Autoimmune Disease and Family Tragedies

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When Bella was just 14 years old, an autoimmune disease attacked her organs, and she spent one year in the hospital. Over time, she experienced a stroke and a month-long coma, underwent numerous surgeries, and received a kidney transplant.

“I didn’t just want to be remembered as ‘the girl in the wheelchair,’” said Bella. “I wanted everyone there to remember me as ‘Bella, the girl who overcame kidney failure and survived.'”

Tragically, the start of Bella’s troubles occurred in 2009, when her family’s babysitter killed her sister.

“It was a very horrific time for us, something none of us will ever get over,” said Deann Hurley, Bella’s mom.

Two years later, Bella’s dad passed away in a motorcycle accident.

Doctors Said Bella May Never Wake Up

While Bella was comatose in 2021, doctors told Deann that Bella might never wake up.

“They began having quality of life conversations with me, explaining how they could stop her dialysis and just let her renal functions shut down,” Deann said. “All I could think was, ‘I’m not going to lose two daughters in the month of April.’”

Deann never gave up on Bella. She stayed by her side, constantly playing music by Bruno Mars, Billie Eilish, and Keyshia Cole.

One day, Deann was sitting next to her daughter when she noticed Bella’s lips moving in sync with a song that was playing.

She Always Loved Music

“She was lip-syncing the song word for word,” Deann said. “It was absolutely amazing.”

“I’ve always loved music and have always learned lyrics to songs really fast,” Bella said. “And when I like a song, I always sing it no matter what.”

Bella had to stay in the hospital another five months after waking up. The stroke damaged her left side, and she needed a wheelchair.

“Even just sitting up,” Deann said, “you could see the pain in her face.”

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Despite Everything, Bella Stays Determined

Bella questioned why these things were happening to her, but instead of dwelling on it, she just focused on getting better.

“Back when I was in the hospital, I heard a lot about all the things I’d probably never be able to do again,” Bella said. “But what I learned is: Never let anyone tell you what you can or cannot do. Just keep a good mindset, stay positive and there’s nothing you can’t accomplish.”

Bella had missed nine months of school, and not only did she catch up in time to graduate, but she graduated on her own two feet, with honors, earning her an uproar of applause when she crossed the stage.

Bell Was Optimistic Through it All

“I heard everyone screaming at first,” Bella said. “But then I stopped hearing anything because I was so focused on getting across the stage and making it to the other side.”

“I’m very hard on myself when I need to get something done,” she said. “So when I went back to school, I did everything I could, always coming home and working into the night and going to summer school.”

Bella was very optimistic throughout her painful physical therapy and was determined to walk across her high school stage.

“She always comes in with a smile, even when she’s having a crappy day — and she keeps going until she almost drops,” said her physical therapist, Jordan Hoff.

A Bright Future for Bella

Bella is all the stronger for what she went through, and she’s not done yet. She will keep pushing herself and hopes to attend medical school to be a pediatric doctor.

Bella said she wants to be known as the girl “who overcame kidney failure and survived,” but now, she will be known for so much more than that. Her courage, strength, and optimism are a beacon to others who are going through similar trials. Her future is bright, and she is sure to be an incredibly impactful physician.

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h/t: People

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Michaela Gordoni is an avid reader and part-time globe-trotter. With a bachelor's degree in International Relations and experience in the non-profit world, she has a passion for people and reporting. You can check out her portfolio here.