A teen caring for ailing mother graduates from high school with magna cum laude honors

An impressive teen, Preston Guinto from Whittier, graduated magna cum laude while looking after his mother with stiff person syndrome.

Now, he plans to study to assist others facing similar illnesses.

Despite his responsibilities, he excelled academically at St. Francis High School in La Cañada and dedicated time to volunteering in his community, particularly aiding children with special needs.

“There are no amount of words that can describe how proud I am of him and all the hurdles he has jumped through this entire process,” the teen’s mother, Wendy Carrera, said.

Carrera and her husband worried about the distance when their son was accepted to a college prep school in La Cañada, as they live in Whittier.

However, with family support, they made it work, and Preston thrived and even graduated magna cum laude, according to NBC San Diego.

“What I saw from Preston from the beginning was his earnestness,” said Dan Pelletier, a counselor at St. Francis.

Preston immediately felt he belonged at St. Francis and appreciated everything he learned there.

“What made St. Francis special is everything I’ve learned,” he said. “It’s helped build character and just become a better human.”

These skills were invaluable when his mother was diagnosed with stiff person syndrome, a rare neurological disease.

“I think for Preston, it was a little dose of the delicacy of life and not to take it for granted, it fueled his fire,” Carrera said. “He was like, ‘I’m going to give back.'”

Preston, the teen who graduated magna cum laude, volunteered with other students to build motorized toy vehicles for children with mobility issues.

He said it was a great way to learn and give back, and the experience inspired him to pursue a degree in STEM.

“My mission in life is to work for a Formula 1 team,” Preston said. “I’m a car guy, and with that comes a love for mechanical engineering, which is my major going into (Loyola Marymount University) in the fall.”

What is stiff person syndrome?

Stiff person syndrome (SPS) is a rare autoimmune disorder affecting the nervous system, according to John Hopkins Medicine.

It causes muscle stiffness and painful spasms, with additional symptoms like difficulty walking, double vision, or slurred speech.

The severity varies depending on the type of SPS.

While there’s no cure, managing symptoms with specialist care can improve quality of life.

SPS typically emerges in individuals aged 40 to 50 but can occur in children and older adults. It’s estimated to affect one to two people per million.

Recent understanding suggests SPS may be more prevalent than previously thought, now seen as a range of disorders, though still rare.

Stiff person syndrome causes painful muscle contractions and spasms, typically starting in the legs and back, sometimes affecting the belly and upper body.

These spasms can occur suddenly, triggered by surprise, movement, cold, or stress, and certain activities or touch may also set them off.

Muscles affected by the contractions feel stiff and rigid, leading to difficulties like walking, maintaining posture, and increased risk of falls and injuries.

Breathing problems may arise if chest muscles are involved, and chronic pain is common.

Additionally, the condition can cause changes in the lower back, potentially leading to spinal cord compression over time.

This can contribute to anxiety and a fear of going outside due to the risk of falls caused by spasms.

Less common symptoms of SPS include difficulty moving the eyes, resulting in double vision, speech problems, and coordination issues.

SPS symptoms vary in their onset. While some individuals may initially experience leg cramps or stiffness that worsen gradually, others may have different symptoms before muscle spasms occur.

Watch the story of Preston Guinto, an outstanding teen who graduated magna cum laude while caring for her sick mom below: