A third speaker was Dr. Marc DiFazio, Sabo's neurologist. He told the 500 students gathered that about 12 years ago, Sabo became the first recipient at Walter Reed Army Medical Center of an surgically implanted pump that delivers medication to reduce the spasms in his arms and legs. When the medication runs out, the pump beeps, and DiFazio inserts a needle into Sabo - a painful procedure - to refill it.
DiFazio marveled at Sabo's accomplishments and called him his hero.
"He just wakes up, and he does so much more than anybody else," DiFazio said.
Christopher Jacobs, who teaches special education at South River, also spoke at the assembly, introducing several of his students and encouraged others not to shy from saying hello and talking with them.
After the assembly, a handful came up to Sabo to congratulate him on his speech. They talked to him, and Sabo smiled and laughed.
Some teachers acknowledged they did not know how to treat Sabo until they got to know him.
"He has taught me how to be more patient, how to be a better listener," said Donald Cook, Sabo's math teacher.
During classes, Sabo's aide, Angela Pieraldi, sets up a tray table attached to his wheelchair and places his assignments on a small plastic easel so that he can read them. He tells her the answers, and she writes them on his paper. Sabo is allowed more time to finish his assignments and takes his tests separately, she said. He is also allowed to leave his class preceding lunch 10 minutes early so that he can make it to the cafeteria before the hallways get crowded with students.
As a senior, Sabo has taken most of his required courses and has a lighter schedule. He has third and fourth periods free, which allow him more time to finish in-class assignments and meet with Cook to ask questions. On Tuesdays and Thursdays, Sabo takes criminal justice classes at Anne Arundel Community College.
Mary Ann Sabo said she looks forward to her son attending Edinboro, which is known for its accommodations for disabled students and where his wheelchair doesn't stand out.
"I just wish the whole world was like this," she said.
