A 13-year-old Californian girl, declared brain dead last year, will receive an honorary diploma from her school for graduating eighth grade.
Jahi McMath, a student of E.C. Reems Academy of Technology and Arts in Oakland, was admitted to Children's Hospital December 9 to have her tonsils removed and for treatment of her sleep apnea. Following the surgery, she suffered massive blood loss and had cardiac arrest. Due to the loss of blood flow to her brain, Jahi was declared brain dead by doctors.
The McMath family said the school confirmed that Jahi will be given the honorary diploma. "Jahi's school, E.C. Reems Academy of Technology and Arts in Oakland, California has confirmed they will honor her and the diploma will be accepted for her, by a family member," according to the statement on the Facebook page 'Keep Jahi McMath on Life Support'. "Jahi, definitely feels all the love."
According to Jahi's uncle, Omari Sealey, the family had to request the school for the diploma. But school officials were unwilling to do so because they received "too many complaints" about displaying anything regarding Jahi, reports NBC Bay Area. He later said that trustees of the school planned to discuss the family's request and make a decision in time for the ceremony.
The school's graduation ceremony is slated for Friday.
The hospital initially had decided to remove her from a ventilator after she was declared brain dead. But, her family fought in state and federal court to keep her on life support. Jahi was then taken to a long-term care facility at an undisclosed location, Reuters reports.
Jahi's family did not reveal the exact condition of her body since she was taken to the facility. Her mother Nailah Winkfield described her daughter to be "asleep." She told KNTV-TV in March that she refused to believe her daughter was brain-dead. "I don't use the word 'brain dead' for my daughter. I'm just waiting and faithful that she will have a recovery," Winkfield said. "She is blossoming into a teenager before my eyes."
