Thomas he is strong, intelligent and very determined. He studies, supports Parma Calcio and Inter, he plays video games and like all kids has a very “social” life. The young nineteen year old lives in the hills of Parma and is courageously facing the return to school. In fact, in his life Tommaso immediately had to learn to fight. Since he was born he has been afflicted with one cerebral palsy which does not allow him to walk and talk. But in his 19 years he never lost heart. Thanks to a “gaze communicator” (a device that allows him to communicate by writing with your eyes, ed) manages to communicate with others and lead a normal “school” life, indeed he dreams of becoming a computer scientist.
Thomas, born with cerebral palsy
But from November following a lung infectionanother obstacle in his path: to breathe he needs a tracheotomy and ventilator connected to oxygen. «My boy is strong: he grew up demonstrating a very lively intelligence – he explains mother Manuela – and thanks to the gaze detector he can do almost everything: but most importantly he manages to cultivate his dreams.” Last November 16th, however, another: one very serious respiratory infection forced him to ventilator and tracheotomy. He went through a difficult period: he was in hospital for 40 days.
Lung infection and the ventilator
«We worried a lot – explains mother Manuela – But we lived in departments where they did everything to fill my son with loving care.” Fortunately the danger has passed, but the tracheotomy and the cylinder must remain. «Mom, dad, doctors and nurses: I want to go back to school!» were the words of Tommaso, repeated endlessly. The dream was there. There is. And on Tuesday 23 April it will happen.
Returning to school, he is in his fifth year
«Mom, dad, doctors and nurses: I want go back to school!» were the words of Tommaso, repeated endlessly. The dream was there. There is. AND Tuesday 23 April it will come true. Tommaso returns to class: he is very happy. But behind this dream of his there is an organization which, as his mother defines, highlights the good functioning of the healthcare in Italy. Tommaso will sit in the front row at school connected to the respirator and will not miss a word from his teachers in the 5A class of informatics of the Gadda institute of Langhirano.
The dream of becoming a computer scientist
But he will always be with him a nurse ready to face any emergency. In the classroom, in case of need, they were placed emergency supplies like a cot. And the transport will also be challenging but super organised: Tommaso he will go to school in an ambulance and his super technological wheelchair will be brought to school every day by the Municipality. The dream therefore, despite the thousand difficulties, finally came true realize.
Thanks from Tommaso’s mother: «His example»
«Tommaso has always been very strong, but also very supportive – explains his mother Manuela – so I thank him his classmates for all the affection they give him and also the head teacher of Langhirano Gruzza and the vice-principal Ussia. I also thank you all teachers who were very close to us. I don’t forget the Domus Cooperative with the educators Elena, Elisa and Luciano and the Municipality of Lesignano de Bagni for the transport of the wheelchair. But I send a great one thanks also to the doctors and the pediatric intensive care nurses coordinated respectively by Dr. Zanaboni and the nursing coordinator LaGrassa. I also thank Dr. Gismondi and Dr. Fainardi from pediatrics and last but not least the nursing staff in particular Francesco with whom Tommaso had a special relationship. – Then he concludes – I want to say one thing: that the story of Thomas set an example, even in the darkest moments, never back down.”
Tags: Parma Tommaso returns school ventilator infection computer scientist
