San Fernando Valley : Long Struggle Leads to Student’s Diploma

By many accounts, Cambodian immigrant Phay Kam is the toughest guy on campus.

Despite a devastating disease that has rendered him immobile, forced him to use a wheelchair and made him dependent on a ventilator, Kam has devoted long years of painstaking work toward the fulfillment of his dream.

Today, at the age of 23, he will achieve that goal by graduating from Monroe High School in North Hills.

Kam, who came to the United States when he was 9, will be among 600 seniors to receive diplomas in graduation ceremonies.

He will ascend the ramp in a motorized wheelchair he operates with his mouth.

His parents, three younger brothers, teachers and a small army of nurses and assistants are all expected to be there to applaud his victory.

Kam has what is known as Duchenne, the most devastating form of muscular dystrophy. Most victims of the disease die by their mid-20s.

So after exhausting years of working his way toward a diploma, what does the Northridge resident look forward to next? College, he says between breaths on his ventilator. Of course. . . .