Canon-McMillan Senior Defies Odds After House Fire

June 7, 2024 4:50 am

CANONSBURG, Pa. — (WPXI) – A senior at Canon-McMillan who was badly hurt in a house fire in February was able to walk the stage at graduation. Dominic Mansmann is being released from the West Penn Hospital burn unit Friday after a 102-day stay. Dominic overcame incredible obstacles and walked last Friday night at his high school graduation. In February, Dom was rushed to the hospital with burns covering 70% of his body, after a terrible house fire. The fire miraculously missed his face and feet. “He was on the ventilator for weeks, it was surgery after surgery,” said his mother, Joni Mansmann, who has been by his side since February. “Honestly, at the beginning of this, I didn’t think we’d have him, let alone have him walk at graduation. I’m very, very proud of him.” The Canon Mac hockey player couldn’t walk or stand, but through excruciating pain, he gave himself a goal. “I’m going to get out of the bed every day and walk these halls so I can walk on the turf and show these people thank you,” he said. Dominic’s entire care team showed up for his graduation, including his doctor who shot a video of him walking.