Team Baby Pizzo
Donation protected
Our Story:
My husband Michael and I welcomed our beautiful son, Michael Ming Pizzo, November of last year. Baby Michael was born on November 16, 2018, happy, healthy, eyes full of wonder, my little man and the best little brother to Olivia. Life was blissfully chaotic in the most beautiful way.. this is still difficult for me to post about, so please bear with me..
On January 11th of this year, while dropping Olivia off at preschool, Michael went into cardiac arrest. I was wearing Michael (like I did everyday with him and like I did with Olivia for the first 3 years of her life..), got Olivia signed into her classroom and walked back to the car. When I went to unstrap Michael from the baby carrier to put him into the car seat, that is when I noticed he was unresponsive and not breathing. CPR was started immediately and that is when things start to get a little fuzzy for me, due to the shock and trauma of it all.
Michael went an estimated 45 minutes without a heartbeat, and in what can only be described as a miracle, the amazing medical team at VCMC saved his life.
I have never prayed so hard in my entire life as I did that day. I felt so helpless, as I watched the medical team work frantically to save my son’s life. My world was crashing down before me, and I was crying out to my God, pleading with Him, begging Him to save Michael’s life. The Lord heard my cries, and I witnessed Jesus breathe life into Michael’s little body that morning. It was truly a miracle!
That night we were airlifted to Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, where we would stay for the next month. Those were very dark days for me, as I watched Michael fight for his life. Michael was being kept alive by a ventilator, and we were told that he would likely never wake again. Day by day, Michael fought on.. after a week, he opened his eyes for the first time; after two weeks, he started taking his own breaths. Finally on Feb 8th, we were able to bring him home.
Diagnosis:
Michael’s diagnosis is epilepsy and HIE (Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy), which is lack of oxygen, restricting blood flow, affecting the brain. When the brain is deprived of oxygen, brain cells are injured. Some brain cells may recover, some may die. The majority of Michael’s damage is to his basal ganglia, which manifests as cerebral palsy (difficulty in motor control). Michael also has cortical vision impairment, which means the physical structure of his eyes are healthy and intact, however his brain’s ability to interpret what his eyes see, could be impaired. He is unable to eat anything by mouth, so he has a feeding tube (which was surgically placed), which allows food to go directly into his stomach. What I would give to see Michael smile!! Before his injury, he was starting to smile, track objects and recognize my face.. and for him to not see me, recognize me or smile, just pains me.
Michael’s disability, brain damage and everything that happened to him has not dampened, lessened, or removed our insanely powerful love for him. We adore him more everyday because of it, and he brings us joy in his own ways at every opportunity.
Therapies/Treatments:
As many of you know, we have just returned home from just over two months in New Orleans for hyperbaric oxygen treatment with Dr. Harch, who is considered the world’s leading authority in HBOT. Michael did 40 dives under strict supervision of Dr. Harch. This laid the groundwork for recovery, established what he could tolerate, and showed early signs of improvement. Now with the baseline established, we are in the process of purchasing an in-home hyperbaric chamber. (Side note, Joe Namath just announced that he has been receiving HBOT to treat his brain injuries and after two years has seen improved Brain function in the areas of his brain damaged from concussions: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s7nxU3QadIA)
We have also been working with a specialized ABM (Anat Baniel Method) Neuro Movement therapist. This type of therapy is based on the idea that a child's brain is very plastic and constantly growing. "ABM Neuro Movement awakens the child’s brain and provides it with new information it needs in order to figure out alternative solutions—learning skills that otherwise he wouldn’t be able to figure out due to the brain damage." The ABM Neuro Movement therapist does this through subtle stimulation with Michael twice a day, 3 days a week, along with his PT/OT. We’ve seen great results with his flexibility and eye movement and are hoping to continue seeing improvements.
We would also like to explore neuro acupuncture, vision therapy, MNRI, Aqua therapy, as well as other alternative healing.
How You Can Help:
We set the target quite high, as a lot of these alternative therapies are not covered by insurance. 100% of the money donated will go to support Michael’s medical, therapeutic and equipment needs. As strange as it feels to raise money for Michael, the truth is, we as Michael’s parents, would do anything for him. We have to exhaust every avenue that could help him reach his full potential.
If you are unable to donate, that’s ok too! Be a prayer warrior for #TeamBabyPizzo #Pray4BabyPizzo
Send us your love, healing thoughts and positive vibes.
Help spread the word by sharing our story. I want other families, who are going through something similar, to know that they are not alone!
Emotional Well Being:
I’ve replayed that day over and over sooooo many times. There was nothing unusual or different about our routine. I went on two one hour walks earlier that week, wearing Michael. The anxiety, fears and worries about his future can be crippling at times, but it’s getting better. I’m adjusting to our “new norm” and new role as a mother to a child with special needs. I’ve connected with other moms, who are going through similar experiences. I no longer feel lonely and isolated. I choose joy. I choose gratitude. I am grateful for today, grateful that God chose ME to be his mother, grateful for the overwhelming love I have for him, grateful to hear his cries, grateful to have him in my arms and nowhere else and grateful for my family of four.
Olivia has been absolutely amazing and just incredible. So protective of her baby brother and has so much love for him. She has sacrificed so much already, and my heart breaks for her, but I know she will grow into an amazing woman and be a world changer one day.
Recently, a good friend shared an awesome story from the Book of Exodus about Moses and the Battle of Refidim… as long as Moses held his arms up with the staff of God in his hands, God’s chosen people were winning the battle. Anytime he lowered them, the enemy was winning. As you can imagine, the battle was long and Moses grew weary. So his friends sat him on a rock and a friend was on either side of him holding up his arms FOR him. And guess what?! They won the battle!
We feel so honored and blessed to have so many amazing people by our side holding our arms through this challenging time. So much love to you all ❤️
Thank you from the bottom of our hearts,
Michael, Christina, Olivia & Baby Michael Pizzo
My husband Michael and I welcomed our beautiful son, Michael Ming Pizzo, November of last year. Baby Michael was born on November 16, 2018, happy, healthy, eyes full of wonder, my little man and the best little brother to Olivia. Life was blissfully chaotic in the most beautiful way.. this is still difficult for me to post about, so please bear with me..
On January 11th of this year, while dropping Olivia off at preschool, Michael went into cardiac arrest. I was wearing Michael (like I did everyday with him and like I did with Olivia for the first 3 years of her life..), got Olivia signed into her classroom and walked back to the car. When I went to unstrap Michael from the baby carrier to put him into the car seat, that is when I noticed he was unresponsive and not breathing. CPR was started immediately and that is when things start to get a little fuzzy for me, due to the shock and trauma of it all.
Michael went an estimated 45 minutes without a heartbeat, and in what can only be described as a miracle, the amazing medical team at VCMC saved his life.
I have never prayed so hard in my entire life as I did that day. I felt so helpless, as I watched the medical team work frantically to save my son’s life. My world was crashing down before me, and I was crying out to my God, pleading with Him, begging Him to save Michael’s life. The Lord heard my cries, and I witnessed Jesus breathe life into Michael’s little body that morning. It was truly a miracle!
That night we were airlifted to Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, where we would stay for the next month. Those were very dark days for me, as I watched Michael fight for his life. Michael was being kept alive by a ventilator, and we were told that he would likely never wake again. Day by day, Michael fought on.. after a week, he opened his eyes for the first time; after two weeks, he started taking his own breaths. Finally on Feb 8th, we were able to bring him home.
Diagnosis:
Michael’s diagnosis is epilepsy and HIE (Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy), which is lack of oxygen, restricting blood flow, affecting the brain. When the brain is deprived of oxygen, brain cells are injured. Some brain cells may recover, some may die. The majority of Michael’s damage is to his basal ganglia, which manifests as cerebral palsy (difficulty in motor control). Michael also has cortical vision impairment, which means the physical structure of his eyes are healthy and intact, however his brain’s ability to interpret what his eyes see, could be impaired. He is unable to eat anything by mouth, so he has a feeding tube (which was surgically placed), which allows food to go directly into his stomach. What I would give to see Michael smile!! Before his injury, he was starting to smile, track objects and recognize my face.. and for him to not see me, recognize me or smile, just pains me.
Michael’s disability, brain damage and everything that happened to him has not dampened, lessened, or removed our insanely powerful love for him. We adore him more everyday because of it, and he brings us joy in his own ways at every opportunity.
Therapies/Treatments:
As many of you know, we have just returned home from just over two months in New Orleans for hyperbaric oxygen treatment with Dr. Harch, who is considered the world’s leading authority in HBOT. Michael did 40 dives under strict supervision of Dr. Harch. This laid the groundwork for recovery, established what he could tolerate, and showed early signs of improvement. Now with the baseline established, we are in the process of purchasing an in-home hyperbaric chamber. (Side note, Joe Namath just announced that he has been receiving HBOT to treat his brain injuries and after two years has seen improved Brain function in the areas of his brain damaged from concussions: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s7nxU3QadIA)
We have also been working with a specialized ABM (Anat Baniel Method) Neuro Movement therapist. This type of therapy is based on the idea that a child's brain is very plastic and constantly growing. "ABM Neuro Movement awakens the child’s brain and provides it with new information it needs in order to figure out alternative solutions—learning skills that otherwise he wouldn’t be able to figure out due to the brain damage." The ABM Neuro Movement therapist does this through subtle stimulation with Michael twice a day, 3 days a week, along with his PT/OT. We’ve seen great results with his flexibility and eye movement and are hoping to continue seeing improvements.
We would also like to explore neuro acupuncture, vision therapy, MNRI, Aqua therapy, as well as other alternative healing.
How You Can Help:
We set the target quite high, as a lot of these alternative therapies are not covered by insurance. 100% of the money donated will go to support Michael’s medical, therapeutic and equipment needs. As strange as it feels to raise money for Michael, the truth is, we as Michael’s parents, would do anything for him. We have to exhaust every avenue that could help him reach his full potential.
If you are unable to donate, that’s ok too! Be a prayer warrior for #TeamBabyPizzo #Pray4BabyPizzo
Send us your love, healing thoughts and positive vibes.
Help spread the word by sharing our story. I want other families, who are going through something similar, to know that they are not alone!
Emotional Well Being:
I’ve replayed that day over and over sooooo many times. There was nothing unusual or different about our routine. I went on two one hour walks earlier that week, wearing Michael. The anxiety, fears and worries about his future can be crippling at times, but it’s getting better. I’m adjusting to our “new norm” and new role as a mother to a child with special needs. I’ve connected with other moms, who are going through similar experiences. I no longer feel lonely and isolated. I choose joy. I choose gratitude. I am grateful for today, grateful that God chose ME to be his mother, grateful for the overwhelming love I have for him, grateful to hear his cries, grateful to have him in my arms and nowhere else and grateful for my family of four.
Olivia has been absolutely amazing and just incredible. So protective of her baby brother and has so much love for him. She has sacrificed so much already, and my heart breaks for her, but I know she will grow into an amazing woman and be a world changer one day.
Recently, a good friend shared an awesome story from the Book of Exodus about Moses and the Battle of Refidim… as long as Moses held his arms up with the staff of God in his hands, God’s chosen people were winning the battle. Anytime he lowered them, the enemy was winning. As you can imagine, the battle was long and Moses grew weary. So his friends sat him on a rock and a friend was on either side of him holding up his arms FOR him. And guess what?! They won the battle!
We feel so honored and blessed to have so many amazing people by our side holding our arms through this challenging time. So much love to you all ❤️
Thank you from the bottom of our hearts,
Michael, Christina, Olivia & Baby Michael Pizzo
Organizer
Michael Pizzo
Organizer
Ventura, CA
