Tearing Down Walls for Giancarlo

Giancarlo and his twin brother Nicholas were born on Febuary 13, 2011 @ only 27 weeks.  Due to a hole in Nicholas' amniotic sac there was not enough fluid for his lungs to develop properly.  After a grueling emergency c-section, the babies were extracted and whisked away to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at McMaster Hospital in Hamilton.  Nicolas' lungs were just not strong enough.  He fought 8 long hours to stay alive.  Doctors informed his parents that there was nothing more they could do for their fragile baby.  All the machines and wires keeping him alive were unplugged.  Nicholas was placed in his parents arms where he took his last little breath. 

While still reeling from the pain of losing a child, Daniella and Carlo were faced with yet another terrifying situation.  Giancarlo sustained a stage 4/5 bilateral bleed in his brain.  Doctors said that he would be blind, deaf, quadriplegic, and/or have cerebral palsy*.  Not knowing if this little guy was going to make it and living at his bedside for up to 18 hours per day, concerns for his future grew.  Giancarlo endured 13 lumbar punctures, 1 ventricular tap, meningitis, 3 blood transfusions, and a surgery to have a ventricular shunt implanted in his brain.  This miracle boy held on!  On June 13th, exactly four months later, Giancarlo finally came home.

At 18 months old, Giancarlo was diagnosed with cerebral palsy.  Fortunately, he can see and he can hear. He is a very happy and social little boy.  Unfortunately, he doesn't yet walk and he's non-verbal but his parents are hoping and praying to one day hear, "I love you too"! 


We need to tear down walls to create an accessible home for Giancarlo’s needs.

Giancarlo requires a bathroom equipped with a roll in shower, an accessible sink, and a hydraulic special needs changing table.  Door frames and hallways need to be wider to accommodate his wheelchair and walker.  He needs open space and freedom to maneuver safely and independently so he can experience day to day life with less assistance.  Expensive aids and provisions in his home are desperately needed to provide safety, ease of access and learning opportunities to help him reach his full potential.

Any contribution that you feel in your heart to give will help tremendously and will be deeply appreciated.  

Please help us make this dream a reality.




*ce.re.bral p.al.sy - A condition marked by impaired muscle co-ordination (spastic paralysis) and/or other disabilities, typically caused by damage to the brain before or after birth.