Chamblee Student Overcomes Life Threatening Illness and Commits to Help Others (VIDEO)

Chamblee Charter High School Junior Forest Ogunyankin shares his story as a Simon Scholar and his plans for the future in helping other children diagnosed with life-threatening illnesses in a YouTube video released in September.

In the video, Ogunyankin shared that he was diagnosed with the disease hydrocephalus -  a neurological disorder caused by enlarged ventricles due to excess fluid on the brain. The disease can be fatal if left untreated. Ogunyankin in the video said he was not expected to walk or speak after receiving a shunt in one of his many operations.

However, Ogunyankin said in the video, "afflictions are not curses, rather challenges that are bestowed upon those capable of overcoming them."

Ogunyankin said he is fluent in German, plays the bass guitar with his band and is scheduled to travel to the Republic of Georgia to help establish YMCA camps.