Francesco Bruno was born with skeletal dysplasia, a genetic impediment that can be fatal.
The Bruno family had a joyful, momentous Tuesday as one of its members returned home for the first time after spending the first three years of his life in the hospital. Francesco Bruno was born with skeletal dysplasia, a genetic impediment that can be fatal. He has spent his entire life in hospitals, requiring a trach, a ventilator, and tubes to breathe and eat, per People. However, Tuesday is a good day. He is finally going home, where his parents and six siblings await him. "We're very happy, nervous, tense, scared, overwhelmed, really happy, overjoyed. It's just a melting pot of emotions," Francesco's father, Emanuele Bruno, told CBS. "He's two years and 10 months, and he's been in a hospital since he's been born. We've been waiting for this a long time, and it's kind of surreal that it's happening," Maggie Sladick, an occupational therapist at the hospital, told FOX.
According to the Mayo Clinic, skeletal dysplasia condition causes improper development of a baby's bones, joints, and cartilage. Although the severity of the problem varies from kid to kid, it can lead to clubfoot, bowlegs, and abnormal arm and leg growth. In his situation, the genetic condition mainly affects Francesco's ribs, making it challenging for his lungs to develop normally. He's undergone a number of operations, been to a number of hospitals, and was receiving continual rehabilitation and intensive therapy at La Rabida. Sladick was happy to see him recover, but also slightly upset to see him leave. "I think as a team we’ve poured so much love and effort into Francesco’s development. This is the goal for all our kids, but it’s always bittersweet to have them leave and move on to their next adventure," said Sladick.
The Bruno family has had another child who had this illness, unfortunately, the family lost him a week after he was born, per ABC. "They told us [when] he was going to be born, he was only going to live for 30 minutes. It's really a miracle he's with us today," said his mother, Priscilla Bruno. Francesco's father agrees, adding, "The fact that we are even standing here, almost three years later, talking about him is already a miracle in and of itself, in my opinion."
It won't be easy to bring Francesco home, but medical workers said that he's becoming stronger every day, and his parents have taken classes and are prepared to handle his numerous requirements. The parents have been getting trained to administer the care their son will need at home. As they got ready to drive home with their son, they said they were ready for the road ahead. "It just shows how much hard work he has put in, how much hard work his family has put in. They do so much," said La Rabida Speech Language Pathologist Jenny Winberg.
"He’s two years and 10 months, and he’s been in a hospital since he's been born." https://t.co/GCAgFJYlAX
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"To live every day like it's the last because I don't know what can happen tomorrow," his mom said. "We're going to do this one day at a time, like we've been doing until now," said Emanuele Bruno.
References:
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/francesco-brunoits-first-1000-days-hospitals-goes-home/
https://www.fox32chicago.com/news/oak-lawn-toddler-goes-home-after-nearly-3-years-in-the-hospital
Cover Image Source: YouTube | Fox 32 Chicago
