Doctors told Kim Chamblin that her son Kris Hager would never walk, talk, ride a bike or be a normal child.

Boy, were they wrong.

Kris was born with spina bifida - meaning his spine did not close properly during the first month of pregnancy. It is the most frequently occurring permanently disabling birth defect and affects approximately one out of every 1,000 newborns in the United States.

Though the physicians could diagnose his condition, they were unable to measure one thing - his heart. The doctor's had no idea that the word "quit" would never become part of the 19-year-old's vocabulary.

"It just kept pushing me harder," Kris said of all the doubters. "People saying that I can't do stuff makes me want to do it even more."

Not only can Kris do all those things and much more, he took what may have been the most well-earned steps of his life Thursday when he walked across the stage at Collins Career Center's graduation with a certificate in law enforcement. He will graduate from Ironton High School later this month.

He was nervous as he walked across that stage, but Kris said he would still do it all over again.

Mom and Dad could not have been any prouder.

"I had so many emotions going the only thing I could get out was a little, 'Yeah, Kris,'" Kim said. "I fought back the tears because it is such a milestone and achievement to see him up there."

But it has not been an easy road for the teenager. Kris endured 18 surgeries, six within the first three months of his life. Pain has been a constant but he continued to fight.

Calling him her little miracle, Kim could not be more proud of everything that her son has done to far exceed all expectations.

"A lot of prayer has been there to get Kris where he is," she said. "He has an army of guardian angels looking out for him."

For Hager, a career in law enforcement is a passion that he plans to pursue, but his true pride and joy sits behind his house - his mountain bike.

Kris' eyes light up as he talks about the bike he worked summer jobs for. To most people, a daily bike ride is a few miles. For Kris, it is 15 or 20. He has put more than 3,000 miles on the bike in less than two years.

"It just clears my head," Kris said." Basically all I do is think of the different things going on."

Countless people in Kris' life have tried to do their part to help him grow to adulthood. Most quickly realized they could learn more from Kris than he could ever learn from them.

"He has got a heart of gold. He can do anything and he is amazing to me," said

Valerie Freeman, a teacher's aide in special education at IHS.

"We all have bad days, but I often think to myself, 'If Kris Hager can do it, then so can I.'"

John Adams got to know Kris in the youth programs at Central Christian Church. Like everyone else, John was blown away.

"The leadership he has shown, the example he has shown to the other kids, is amazing," Adams said. "He had to work hard for things so it bothered him when the other kids didn't. He pushed them in that way."

"He is a pretty special kid that has endured a lot with a tremendous attitude."

Most of all Kim and step-father Ken remain Kris' biggest supporters.

"My experience with Kris has taught me how lucky I am," Ken said. "I have seen him go through things that would make me feel (terrible) and he doesn't even frown."

It all comes back to his tenacity and determination. Kris Hager proved all the naysayers wrong and continues to do so.

"The way I look at it, if you have problems, just don't ever give up," he said.

His mother hopes Kris' story can help educate and inspire other families.

"I don't think people realize there is a higher education for their children with special needs," she said. "I want parents to stand beside their children and them achieve their dreams and goals."