Palm Beach State College honors graduate Shaveeshka DuMornay, who earns bachelor’s degree while courageously battling ALS (Lou Gehrig’s disease)

The inspiring journey of the mother of three exemplifies courage, resilience, and the power of education to rise above life’s greatest challenges.

Shaveeshka “Shavie” DuMornay was in the midst of her studies at Palm Beach State College (PBSC) in 2024 when she was diagnosed with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). The neurodegenerative disease impacts voluntary muscle movement, diminishing a person’s ability to walk, speak, eat, and breathe, though their mind and memory often remain sharp as their body weakens. 

“Even on the hardest days, I held onto the idea that learning is a form of hope. When my body began to fail me, my mind became the place where I could still grow, create, and connect. That purpose kept me moving forward,” said DuMornay. 

On Tuesday, Dec. 16, 2025, the 51-year-old mother of three realized her dream of earning a Bachelor’s of Applied Science degree in Supervision and Management, with a concentration in Health Management. She was among more than 2,700 students to graduate in the Fall 2025 cohort. 

“Walking away was not an option for me. Every time I thought about quitting, I pictured my children watching me, seeing how I handled the hardest chapter in my life. I wanted them to see that even when circumstances change, your dreams do not have to disappear.” 

DuMornay’s illness has meant a reversal of roles for her and her children: 23-year-old Kyle, 20-year-old Kayla, and 13-year-old Kaleb. 

“As a parent, I had always been the one taking care of everything. Suddenly, my family had to learn how to support me in new ways, from helping me get around to adapting to how we communicated,” she said.

Sons Kyle and Kaleb and husband Wilson DuMornay, MD, were on hand at The Duncan Theatre at PBSC’s Lake Worth campus to accept the degree on behalf of their mom and wife.

“I can’t begin to describe what she’s accomplished today…It reminds me of the reason why I fell in love with her and the woman that she is,” said Dr. DuMornay. “It’s easy to give up and say, ‘You know, why am I doing this?’ But she sat down and she pushed through and continues to push through and refuses to be defined by the illness that she finds herself in.” 

DuMornay watched her name being called from her home in Coral Springs as the event was being livestreamed. Kayla, a student at Hampton University, was finishing her semester and rushed home from Virginia to be by her mom’s side.

Kyle, also a student at Palm Beach State College, was his mom’s study buddy following her diagnosis. Kyle recalled the nights his mom would be up at midnight helping him with his homework when he was in high school. “Now I got to be on the other side and it was fun. I’m proud of her.”

Kaleb said he is the one tasked with making sure his mother is comfortable with a cozy blanket and is responsible for positioning her pillow just right.  

“Continuing my education gave me purpose during a time when everything felt uncertain. PBSC also made all the difference,” said DuMornay. “My professors, advisors, and classmates showed me so much patience and compassion. I felt supported, not pitied. That encouraged me to keep going, one class, one assignment, one small victory at a time.” 

DuMornay is a career health professional who worked at a local hospital in finance and patient access. Her dream is to be a hospital CEO and establish health-care clinics in rural areas of the Caribbean, where health services are scarce. 

In February 2024 DuMornay was at work when she had an episode where her speech was slurred. She was rushed to a local hospital. The symptoms mimicked a stroke and stroke protocols were administered. After being admitted to the hospital, she returned to work the next day. 

A month later, while driving her son Kaleb to school, DuMornay experienced similar symptoms with her speech—trouble moving, and numbness and tingling in her body. She pulled over to the side of the road and called her husband Wilson—an ear, nose and throat surgeon—and told him something was seriously wrong.   

Wilson DuMornay quickly came to his wife’s aid. There was another trip to the emergency room. DuMornay was admitted to the hospital for five days, receiving a diagnosis of myasthenia gravis, a chronic autoimmune disease that disrupts muscle movements. She was treated and released. 

In September 2024, after a visit to a neurologist and another series of tests, including an EMG.6 test to help detect neuromuscular abnormalities, the diagnosis became clear. DuMornay was informed she had ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, named after the famous baseball player from the 1930s.  

There are 34,000 people in the United State diagnosed with ALS. The prevalence is 10.1 out of every 100,000 individuals according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 

“I remember sitting there, listening to the doctor explain what it meant…my mind immediately went to my kids. I wondered what this would mean for them, for our future, for the dreams I still had tucked away…But even in that moment, I knew I wasn’t going to let the diagnosis define my story.” 

Anchoring the household is DuMornay’s mother, Patricia Smith, whose steady presence provides strength and support for the family. DuMornay is also surrounded by a tight-knit group of best friends who represent different stages of her life—from childhood and career, to marriage and motherhood.

“Just seeing her sons accept the degree for their mom...I was very happy for them that they could do that for their mom,” said Cheryl Campbell, who flew in from Long Island, NY to witness her best friend's graduation. “Her children can now take the persistence and determination their mom has demonstrated and carry that into their studies and their own lives." 

Another friend, Sheree Vanterpool, instantly connected with DuMornay after meeting her more than 15 years ago when their daughters were in dancing school. On Sunday, Dec. 14, she and her mother hosted a party at DuMornay’s home to celebrate the graduation and her friend’s 51st birthday. 

“It’s such a joyous occasion because she has worked so hard. It’s quite an accomplishment, not just for Shavie, but for the entire family,” said Vanterpool. 

ALS progresses rapidly and can claim the lives of those afflicted within 14 to 18 months. Some victims can live for up to 10 years.  DuMornay is defying the odds by her sheer will and spirit, cutting-edge treatments and therapy, surrounded by a devoted family and circle of friends and caregivers who lovingly provide assistance. 

“Life may look different from what I planned, but different does not mean over,” said DuMornay. “You can still do incredible things, even with a diagnosis, even with challenges at home, even when the journey is slower or harder than you expected. You do not have to be perfect. You just have to keep moving.” 

DuMornay has asked her friends and family to help spread awareness about ALS through the ALS Association, to attend ALS conferences, and to donate to the cause to advance research and treatments that will improve outcomes for those affected by the disease. 

“I want others to know that people living with ALS are still here, still thinking, feeling, dreaming. And I hope more people understand how vital compassion, awareness, and advocacy are in helping us live with dignity and purpose.” 

DuMornay plans to continue her education at the University of North Florida, where she will be pursuing an Executive Master of Health Administration. Though ALS has affected her mobility, she remains active and engaged using adaptive technology through a computer and mobile phone to communicate, typing with her knuckles. 

“Continuing to learn keeps me focused on the future,” she said. “It reminds me that there’s still so much I can do.”