JACKSON, Miss. ( WJTV ) – A double leg amputee, who was born with a rare birth condition, is planning to walk across the stage at Jackson State University’s (JSU) commencement.

Jahkee Johnson said JSU has offered the best of both worlds for him, allowing him to play the instrument he loves with the Sonic Boom of the South and pursuing his studies.

Johnson chose a career path in physical health and recreational therapy. The decision was inspired by his own condition.

“I think my own disability opened my eyes to the other disabilities out there in the world that I had no clue about when I was a freshman,” he said.

Johnson was born with a rare condition called tibial hemimelia. This causes a newborn to have a shinbone defect. His mother made the tough decision to amputate his legs, and Johnson now uses prosthetics.

“I just always appreciate her for that, too, because I don’t know. I don’t know what the other lifestyle would be if I’d been in a wheelchair. When I’ve been in a wheelchair several times after four different surgeries, but now if I don’t, I couldn’t… I don’t know what that lifestyle would have been like doing that for a time or the rest of my life,” Johnson said.

During his time at JSU, Johnson played the trombone for the Sonic Boom of the South and marched on the field with his bandmates.

Despite the doubts, changes, and hardships, he keeps going to help inspire others. He will graduate from Jackson State on Saturday, May 4.

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