09/16/2026
It is hard to believe how much life can change in a matter of moments.
Just a few short weeks ago, Orazio was our energetic, soccer loving little boy — running nonstop, helping his mamma at Frankies this Summer, getting ready for kindergarten at St. Mary’s School in Mokena, talking about Messi, and doing all the things a five year old should be doing.
Then everything changed.
Orazio suffered a seizure that led the ER doctors at Silver Cross to discover a significant brain bleed caused by an AVM — an arteriovenous malformation — in the left side of his brain. He was airlifted to Lurie’s, where doctors performed an emergency life saving craniotomy to evacuate the hemorrhage and relieve the pressure on his brain. Part of his skull was removed and stored to allow his brain time and space to heal.
Those first days were absolutely terrifying.
There were so many unknowns. Orazio initially could not speak. His right side was significantly affected. He could not walk, chew, feed himself, communicate what he needed, or understand why suddenly he was back in a diaper and his little body would not do the things it had always done so effortlessly.
His physical progress has been nothing short of amazing. He began moving his right side again this week. Then came a few simple words. Eating. Sitting up. Taking supported steps. Feeding himself again. Each small milestone has felt enormous.
The greatest challenges right now continue to involve the areas affected by the injury to the left side of his brain — particularly language, communication, processing, understanding and finding the words he wants to say. There is frustration. There are still things his brain and body are having to relearn. But Orazio continues to work incredibly hard even though he’s traumatized.
He is currently at Shirley Ryan AbilityLab, where his days are filled with intensive physical, occupational, speech and rehabilitation therapies. This will remain our home away from home until September 28.
On September 28, Orazio will return to Lurie’s for another angiogram and updated imaging so his surgical team can carefully map the AVM and plan for his next operation.
On October 1, Dr. Lam and her team will perform Orazio’s second major brain surgery to remove the AVM and address the area affected by the hemorrhage. Following surgery and his initial recovery in the hospital, the plan is for Orazio to return to Shirley Ryan and continue in patient rehabilitation.
And that is only the beginning of the next chapter.
We know now that this will not be a short road. Orazio will need continued rehabilitation, therapy, follow-up imaging and neurological care for years to come. There will be homeschooling and educational support while he heals, ongoing speech and occupational therapy, physical rehabilitation, appointments, testing and continued monitoring throughout childhood until he’s 18.
There are so many pieces of life that have suddenly changed for our family. Which is why you have not seen us at Frankie’s since August 22 when the tragic incident occurred.
Through all of it, though, we have been surrounded by an extraordinary amount of love.
The generosity shown to us has helped in more ways than we could ever adequately explain. Every donation, gift card, prayer, message and act of kindness has helped lighten a load that at times has felt impossible to carry to be honest.
We have seen blue ribbons appear throughout the community in support of Orazio. We have watched friends, neighbors, businesses and complete strangers rally around our sweet boy.
And the St. Mary’s community has been incredible.
The love shown by the school, families and especially the students has touched all of us deeply. These kids have gone above and beyond for their friend — finding ways to encourage him, make him smile and remind him that an entire community is waiting for him and cheering him on.
For a little boy who so badly wants to go HOME, these reminders matter more than people realize.
There are still hard days ahead. We miss our home. There are still unknowns. There is another major surgery coming. There will be months and years of healing, therapies, scans and milestones that once seemed ordinary but now mean everything.
But there is also so much hope.
Orazio is here.
He is fighting.
And he is surrounded by more love than we ever could have imagined.
To every single person who has donated, prayed, shared his story, worn blue, sent something for Orazio, fed us by sending gift cards or simply reached out to remind us that we are not alone — thank you.
You are helping carry us through one of the most difficult seasons of our lives.
Please continue to keep our entire family in your prayers. We have a very long road ahead, but we will keep taking it one day, one therapy session, one word, one step and one miracle at a time.
Angela & Orazio 🫶🏼
