Boy with spina bifida walks for first time at preschool graduation

MARION, Ohio (FOX 35 ORLANDO) - A 5-year-old Ohio boy with spina bifida is warming hearts across the internet with a video of him walking for the first time without a wheelchair during his preschool graduation. 

Blake Mompher's mother, Megan, posted the unforgettable moment to Facebook.

"I set this goal for him to walk at the beginning of this school year, so when all the medical trauma happened in the back of my mind I thought it just wouldn’t happen. So when he did it, I just couldn’t believe it. Major tears!" Mompher tells Fox 35.

Blake's family found out he had spina bifida during her 20-week ultrasound. The past few months have been some of the hardest, with Blake having several surgeries within two and a half months and suffering from complications from an original surgery.

"It was the darkest time we’ve gone through. We were separated from our other three kids and Blake was just so sick."

Blake has always used a wheelchair, but was determined to walk on his own two feet. On May 11, his hard work paid off and he walked across the stage during his preschool graduation with a big smile on his face!

"The whole room stood up and gave him a standing ovation! It was the proudest moment I’ve had as a mom. He’s my hero. He amazes me with his determination and strength."