by Noah Arteaga

From the beginning of his freshman year until now, students and administrators have walked past As’ad Kashim without knowing exactly the adversity he has overcome in his life. He believes that his story embodies what it means to truly be a Brave at St. John Bosco High School.

As’ad was born in Nigeria in 2006 to a close-knit family. His mother worked as a public relations officer, while his father was a member of the Nigerian Navy. Alongside his older sister, As’ad grew up surrounded by love and support.

As’ad’s life was at risk from the moment he was born. Born prematurely, he spent his first days in an incubator due to underdeveloped organs. Additionally, his skin was so thin that his internal organs were visible. 

After leaving the incubator, As’ad suffered from oxygen deprivation, which caused problems that would hinder his movement. At one point, doctors feared he wouldn’t survive. As’ad believes that he was able to stay alive because of the love of his family, particularly his sister. 

She cried out for him, wanting her little brother to come home. Eventually, As’ad was able to find a stable pulse and develop organs strong enough to support themselves on their own.

As’ad was officially diagnosed with cerebral palsy when he was two years old. His condition was difficult to detect during infancy, but as As’ad grew older, his family began to understand the physical challenges he would face.

When As’ad was four, his family moved to India for better access to medical care and physical therapy. Despite his condition, As’ad’s parents were determined that he receive a top-tier education alongside other kids.

They enrolled him in a regular school because they wanted him to be viewed no differently from other children. 

In school, however, As’ad was constantly overlooked by teachers who thought he couldn’t keep up. To prove them wrong, he memorized a small booklet and recited it aloud in class, showing his ability to comprehend and speak fluently.

During this time, As’ad struggled with physical therapy because of the limited flexibility in his legs. Noting his struggles, his mother proposed a deal: he could see his other family relatives when he could walk efficiently with his walker. 

Motivated by this challenge, As’ad became proficient with his walker—which he uses to this day.

Before moving to the United States, As’ad’s family took a brief vacation to Dubai. His favorite memory from this trip was playing in the sea for the first time with his uncle. During the trip, he and his family paid a visit to Mecca, a spiritual experience for As’ad, who practices Islam. While there, he prayed for better days, hoping that life would improve for him and his family.

Medical tests during this time revealed that As’ad’s knee was shattered, so he was scheduled to undergo surgery. Due to visa delays, however, he could not stay in Mecca for further treatment.

His mother then spoke to a family friend, who helped convince the family to move to the United States for better medical care.

A little before his tenth birthday, As’ad visited California with his family for a month to explore the possibility of living in the U.S. permanently. A year later, they decided to make the move to Los Angeles.

Through his aunt, they connected with a hospital specializing in cerebral palsy treatment. The Luskin Orthopaedic Institute for Children (LuskinOIC) became a staple in As’ad’s journey through adversity.

It was there that As’ad met his first surgeon, Dr. Anthony Scaduto, the President and CEO of LuskinOIC. Feeling extremely nervous as the doctor entered the room, As’ad greeted him with a formal good morning. It was a gesture that impressed Dr. Scaduto, who had never received such a greeting from someone As’ad’s age.

As’ad shared his desire to walk, and Dr. Scaduto assured him that although it was possible, it would require a long journey. He then asked if As’ad would be ready to take that journey.

As’ad, with immense faith, confidently responded, “Yes, I am prepared. I’m going to do whatever it takes.”

In May, a month after their initial meeting, As’ad underwent surgery. The procedure focused on correcting the growth in his knees to prevent further complications. The surgery, which lasted 6-8 hours, marked a turning point in As’ad’s life. 

“Although I was extremely nervous for the operation, I knew I was going to wake up from the surgery as someone new,” said As’ad. “It was a feeling [I had] never felt before—being so afraid, [yet so] excited for the future ahead of me.” 

For three days, As’ad couldn’t move, and special therapy was required to help him adjust to moving again. Nurses and therapists used a sheet to transfer him between his bed and his wheelchair, helping him become accustomed to the pain and regain mobility. These movements happened multiple times a day to ensure As’ad adapted.

When As’ad was cleared from the hospital, he took a year-long break before starting school again. He dedicated that break to intensive physical therapy sessions.

Once it was time to enroll, As’ad and his family had difficultly finding a school for him to attend. Many schools denied him based on his physical handicaps. One school that accepted his enrollment, however, was Marcus Garvey School in Los Angeles.

Entering school as a young teenager, As’ad felt a wave of sadness overcome him when he watched kids play basketball from a distance. Eventually, kids included him in their activities and made him feel like one of the guys. 

“[Although] some people out there have some type of animosity against you, there are bound to be people out there willing to help and support you regardless of your situation,” As’ad said. 

After moving into his new school and house, it was time for As’ad’s second surgery. This second surgery was a more robust procedure than his first. But this time around, As’ad felt little to no pain at all.

A quick recovery allowed As’ad to travel back and forth from America to Nigeria to get his visa. 

After recovering, getting his visa and finishing middle school, As’ad was set on attending one high school: St. John Bosco.

As’ad toured Bosco during the pandemic where he fell in love with the school watching the basketball team studying together. Seeing players and coaches working together painted a picture that he felt epitomized the Bosco brotherhood.

During his freshman year, As’ad felt the changes of transitioning to high school. 

“It was extremely difficult. Even though I trained, the distance I had to cover was a lot. I even used an electric scooter. [Regardless,] I was still ten minutes late to my classes,” As’ad said.

At first, the adjustment was rough. His family would have to be with him throughout the day to make sure he was supported in getting from class to class. 

An incident where As’ad fell to the ground playing Jenga made him feel supported—not by his family, but by his Bosco brothers. Instead of being ridiculed and made fun of, like As’ad anticipated, his peers lifted him and still kept including him in games they played at lunch. 

By his junior year, As’ad was fully acclimated to life in high school. A feeling to reach new heights in his life was introduced by CIF finalist in the 400m, senior Kendal Handy. One day, while doing his daily walk on the track, he jokingly called Kendal out to race him. Kendal, being the competitor that he is, didn’t try to sugar coat the situation and said he was going to beat As’ad.

As’ad ran with his walker and was able to find a new drive within himself, eventually being able to beat Kendal.

“It made me realize the different personalities at Bosco. Everyone made me want to better myself into who I am,” As’ad said. “[I felt good] when I beat Kendal, regardless [of whether or not] he tried. The different backgrounds everyone at Bosco [comes] from [has] motivated me to be stronger.” 

Now entering his senior year, As’ad’s aspirations for himself have never been higher. As’ad used to think of himself as a dreamer, but he’s finally realized through his drive and determination that he’s an achiever.

Asad’s current goals are to walk across the stage at graduation without his walker and to attend either USC or UCLA next fall.

“What I’m most grateful for in my time at Bosco, and by far what I’ll miss the most, is the environment. So many different [people,] from teachers to students, all did their best to show me [how] to be the best version of myself,” As’ad said.

As’ad never felt like he was alone at St. John Bosco and genuinely believes he has found a home in Bellflower. He knows the kind-hearted people at Bosco only want him to succeed and feels they’re responsible for the joy he’s felt over the past few years. 

Through all the highs and lows, and the never-ending wave of adversity, Kashim As’ad Kashim—the achiever—knows what it truly means to be a Bosco Brave.