We've taken you along for Johnny Heubel's journey since he suffered a traumatic brain injury one year ago on the football field, playing for McDowell High School.
But now, he's “graduating” from Shriners Hospital and his family announced they’re moving to Florida next week.

“We wanted to get him where he wanted to go which would be Florida because he just loves it so much there,” Megan Beasley, Johnny’s mother told Erie News Now.

She said they want to dodge snowy winters, and instead of traveling to and from Pittsburgh for the hospital, all of the hospitals are within 20 minutes from their new home in Florida. The family originally planned to move after Johnny graduated High School, but their plans were put on pause, following the injury last fall.

Johnny will now have physical, occupational, and speech therapy in an adult setting.

“Shriners has been great for him and where he’s at,” Beasley said. “We’re just so happy that he’s pushing through that pediatric and we’re pushing him into the next level.”

The next level after coming so far, pretty much starting on a clean slate after the injury.

“Every day he wakes up with a smile on his face,” Beasley said. “It’s a second chance of me getting to raise him again. He’s very childlike but it’s the most beautiful, innocent childlike you could ever imagine.”

His occupational therapist, Emily Madder was emotional after Johnny’s last session at Shriners Hospital Friday morning. He spent 9 hours a week there working on speech, occupational therapy, and physical therapy, with what Madder called his “I can, I will, I must” attitude.

“We started seeing him in February and what he was doing then as compared to walking out of the building, we’ve made such huge gains,” Madder said. “He’s a kid that has a heart of gold and has worked hard every single day.”

He even got a perfect attendance award at his mini graduation for showing up every day with a positive attitude. Madder credits his family for carrying all of the lessons and activities home and practicing with Johnny and helping him, at their home.

Johnny, his parents, and his sister Gabby all showed their appreciation for the workers at Shriners Hospital and the community at Friday’s post-appointment celebration. There were very few dry eyes in the crowd when Johnny made his departure from the hospital for the last time.

“If I could literally reach out and give you all the biggest hug ever, I would,” Beasley said. “It means so much to me and my family that you guys picked us up and walked with us through this journey. We were not alone, and this community is amazing.”

Johnny, for the first time since we've been following his inspiring journey also said a heartfelt thank you before embarking on his next journey.

“I just want to say thank you to everyone in this whole world, especially in Erie PA, that blessed my brain, and made sure I am walking with a cast, god bless you all,” Heubel said.