WATCH: Long Beach Senior, Once Paralyzed, Walks At Graduation

LONG BEACH, NY — Five years after Robert Browne was paralyzed in a surfing accident off the coast of Long Beach, the high school senior walked across the stage to receive his graduation diploma, according to News 12 Long Island.

Hundreds of friends and family at the graduation cheered as Browne, 18, a Long Beach native, used a wheelchair to get onto the stage, and then with the help of a walker, received his diploma, News 12 reported. Browne previously set the goal of walking at his graduation a year ago. After months of hard work, he was reportedly nearly sidelined from a bout of pneumonia.

In the days leading up to the even, he had conflicting emotions about his plan to walk, telling Newsday, "I'm excited. A little nervous and excited, but more of an excited feeling."

Browne's father, who was front and center in the graduation audience, said that one of the worst days of his life led to one of his proudest.