Despite major challenges, a DeKalb County high school student manages to play in the marching band.

According to a report on Channel 2 Action News, Jahkee Johnson was born with a rare disease and has lost his legs below the knee, but the 15-year-old boy is defying his disability and his classmates' notion of what he can do.

"We were practicing, and everyone was shocked, but they started to see and treated me like a normal person," Jahkee told the TV station.

The boy attends Cedar Grove High in Ellenwood and was born with tibial hemimelia. His amputations took place when he was an infant.

He grew and even managed to play sports for years before arriving to Cedar Grove and falling in love with the tuba, Channel 2 said.

He wears padded shoes that help him march and sway with the other students.

Like DeKalb County News Now on Facebook | Follow on Twitter and Instagram

About the Author

Keep Reading

Detainee Joshua Clay Arp greets Dusty, a belgian draught horse, at the fence of their pasture at the Stout Park Equestrian Center, Thursday, Nov. 6, 2025, in Powder Springs, Ga. The Cobb County Sheriff’s Office has launched an equine therapy-style work release program designed to help detainees develop skills. The horses are from the Cobb County Sheriff’s Office mounted patrol unit. (Jason Getz / AJC)

Credit: Jason Getz / Jason.Getz@ajc.com

Featured

University of Georgia students are seen entering and leaving the main Library on the Athens campus on Monday, Sept. 8, 2025. (Miguel Martinez/AJC)

Credit: Miguel Martinez-Jimenez