Like most teens, Morgan Coultress likely imagined that she would be dancing the night away on her prom night.
But the 18-year-old had surgery in June 2017 and wasn’t able to walk for the 10 months leading up to prom.
Coultress told Kansas City Star that she came down with conversion disorder after her surgery “took a wrong turn.” The Mayo Clinic defines conversion disorder as a “functional neurological disorder” with symptoms that cause physical problems.
But she wasn’t about to let this stop her from going to prom. Not only was she going to go to prom, but she was going to stand on her own two feet.
So she set a goal that she would walk again on her prom night.
Morgan’s aunt, Brandi Forteiny, said that she was beyond proud of her niece and all the effort she put forth to reach her goal and fight through her conversion disorder.
“My niece lost the ability to walk last year and it’s been a very long and difficult journey for her. She never complained or showed fear. She always stuck by her faith and her strength without ever giving up on herself,” she wrote on Facebook.
“It’s been a humbling and inspiring experience to witness this rough transition for not only her but our family, as well. She made a goal for herself that she would walk in time for prom, and just like the fighter she is — she made it happen, y’all! And she looked so beautiful!”
Coultress decided that she would surprise her prom date, Tarik Garcia when he came to her door.
And boy was he surprised!
The big surprise was captured on video which Garcia posted on Twitter.
“After not being able to walk with my own two legs for 10 months… I surprised my prom date with this,” the video’s caption read.
The video shows Coultress standing at the end of her hallway while a woman opens up the door.
As soon as her prom date walks up to the doorstep, Coultress starts taking a few steps. And her prom date absolutely loses it.
He starts screaming with joy and steps backward. “No!” he yells before running up to her and hugging her tightly.
“How did you do that?” he shrieks.
It was such an awesome reaction! And to make matters even better, Coultress was named prom queen later that night!
The video that Coultress posted on Twitter was retweeted more than 275,233 times and got more than a million likes.
There were tons of people who sent Coultress encouraging comments and found her to be an inspiration.
“I cried. I am so so proud that you were able to accomplish this! My situation is definitely not comparable to yours, but I cant wait until mt husband sees how much progress I’ve made with my own recovery. YOU ARE SO STRONG AND YOU JUST MOTIVATED ME EVEN MORE!” said one Tweeter.
“Your complete recovery is just around the corner, the Lord is your strength and victory is sure by his grace and your courage,” said another.
Now Coultress says her new goal is to walk at her own graduation in June.
Watch her surprise her prom date in the video below.
Please SHARE this with your friends and family.
After not being able to walk with my own two legs for 10 months… i surprised my prom date with this💛✨ pic.twitter.com/rKLoCoxZRL
— MoMo (@aeonianlife) April 28, 2018
