‘Mighty Zoey’ Steps Into the Future in Denver

  • Zoey Ngu has a rare and perilous condition: Osteogenesis Imperfecta (OI), known as brittle bone disease. However, her fragile state hasn’t deterred her.Zoey Ngu Holding her diploma

    She has navigated the hallways of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Early College in Denver since middle school in a spiffy electric wheelchair, ever cautious of a bump or a fall that could cause serious injury. She received constant support from Paulina, her one-on-one paraprofessional.

    Ngu worked as an office assistant her senior year, gaining administrative skills. She also took three college courses her senior year with the aim of studying radiology in college. She went to prom, celebrated Spirit Week, and worked with a physical therapist to build her strength.

    Her aim: To walk across the stage to receive her diploma. And she did just that. Ngu had scoped out the stage days earlier; she had to be sure of her footing and how much strength she would need.

    To cheers and tears, Ngu lifted herself from her chair, walked forward, and collected her diploma. Ngu’s own mortarboard, decorated with flowers and butterflies, said it all: “If you knew my story, you’d be proud.”

    Afterwards, she reflected on her journey. “Take any opportunity given to you and take high school seriously, because it will help you in the long run. Also, make sure you choose your friends wisely because it makes a difference in what kind of high school experience you have,” Ngu said in a feature story on the Denver Public Schools website.

    The story’s headline spoke volumes: “Mighty Zoey: Little Stature, Big Dreams.”

    “She is unstoppable!” said one fan on Instagram.

    Her dream is to pursue a career in radiology and in the fall, she will attend an in-state college.

    “My parents gave me the idea of pursuing radiology because, being a child born with OI and also being in a wheelchair, it’s difficult to find activities or occupations that would not put me or my body at risk,” said Ngu. “Not only do I feel this would be an interesting field to study, but it would also allow me to learn more about the human body, bones, etc.”