It didn’t take long for Geno’s personality to resurface. The family credits Cleveland Clinic Children’s Rehab in Shaker Heights, where Geno spent more than a week in intensive physical, occupational and speech therapy.
“He was willing to do the PT and the OT, and he was treating the speech therapy with games. So our priority then was, okay, how do we make as much progress as quickly as possible,” Adrienne said.
Bo said the facility left a lasting impression on the whole family.
“Children’s rehab, by the way, if I may give them a plug, is phenomenal that we have that in Cleveland. I don’t think a lot of people realize that. And the work they did with Geno and all those other little kiddos that were in there was impressive.”
Even amid recovery, Adrienne says what carried the family through was Geno himself.
“He just has a spark and a joy that makes him particularly unique, and my strength comes from watching him do everything he’s done and still be the remarkable kid that he is.”
Back on the court
Today, Geno is back to being Geno — playing basketball in the driveway with his brothers, cheering on the Cavaliers, and, according to his parents, still squeezing in as many “snuggles” as possible.
He still copes with the physical effects of his strokes and will continue to be closely monitored by his cardiology team given his history. But his parents say that hasn’t touched who he is.
“I want him to be happy and, you know, grow up loving life and being — and being grateful. And he is, he’s a very grateful kid,” Bo said.
Ask Geno what he’d tell another child facing surgery or a scary diagnosis, and he doesn’t talk about fear at all.
“God is with you.”
It’s a fitting answer from a boy who, by every medical odds, wasn’t supposed to be here at all — and who, through two strokes, four surgeries and a lifetime of “impossible,” still describes himself simply: “I’m happy. I’m happy.”
“He’s a gift from God… he’s just such a happy kid and a lovable kid, and he’s a fighter… yeah, truly a miracle,” Bo said.
