CONWAY, S.C. (WBTW) — Brittany Wheeler was just 16 years old when she began college at Coastal Carolina University, but a life-changing stomach tumor kept her from graduating until she was 27 years old.
Wheeler said she spent three semesters at CCU before losing half her body weight and collapsing on campus at 18 years old. She left school and was diagnosed with a large stomach tumor in 2017.
‘I wanted to finish what I started’
Over six years, Wheeler said she overcame a near-fatal lung disease, had more than 100 hospitalizations and stayed in 15 different hospitals across the country, sometimes for months at a time.
Despite the challenges, Wheeler decided to come back to CCU for the 2022 fall semester.
“I decided to go back to Coastal because I wanted to finish what I started and go back to the school that really supported me, a school that really cares,” she said.
Because of her scholarships, Wheeler did not have to pay tuition.
She graduated on May 9 with a bachelor’s degree in communications and a minor in religious studies, a 4.0 grade-point average, and a stronger passion to help people, after so many had helped her.
“The experience at Coastal was something I cherish and something I’m really grateful for,” Wheeler said. “Without this experience, and without the support of the incredible faculty, staff, and professors here, I would not be where I am today. I would not be as strong as I am today.”
Wheeler was also one of two students chosen to speak on stage at commencement …
