Niko's Army

Niko Scalzo turns 18 on October 29th. He has always been an easy-going guy, someone who you felt comfortable being yourself with and even sharing your own personal struggles. He has a Huge heart and has always stood up for the underdog! He loves music, cars, hole-in-the-wall restaurants that serve great food, and movies like Nacho Libre, Master Minds and Napoleon Dynamite. He had just finished a Music Business course and had started Audio Engineering at The Dark Horse Institute in Franklin, TN. Niko has an amazing smile and an energy about him that draws people in.

What most may not have known about Niko (because he was also very private) is that he struggled with some mental health issues. Niko never wanted others to know, and he didn't want to disappoint those who depended on and loved him, so he masked them on his own. The "cover-up" of those issues is how he got to this point. Please know that there are people in this world that are seeking their own gain and interest and don’t care if our children fall prey to their evil and harmful tactics. On August 21st, he went into cardiac arrest and was without oxygen for an unknown amount of time. EMS resuscitated him but Niko has extensive brain damage. He is currently at CHOA Scottish Rite in Atlanta, GA, receiving inpatient rehabilitation to relearn most all life skills (things we take for granted, like just holding our head up). One day when he does come home, he will need very specialized equipment even to ride in the car, and he will continue intensive outpatient therapy for months or even years.

We don't know what God will do in Niko's life, but we would appreciate prayers for his full recovery (including his mental health struggles) and support for the battle of a lifetime.

Niko's Army