Boy, 8, with rare condition surprises everyone by walking again after major surgery
- 8 years ago
Heartwarming footage of an eight-year-old boy called Giovanni with an extremely rare condition taking his first steps after shedding a full-body cast he was forced to wear for five weeks following surgery.
The inspiration video was filmed in Richland, Pennsylvania in August this year and shows Giovanni walking with the help of a frame in front of his mum and dad.
He suffers from a condition called Schwartz–Jampel syndrome (SJS) which, according to the filmer, is so rare, less than 100 cases have ever been reported.
The condition caused Giovanni's muscles to become incredibly tight and the stiffness eventually caused his hips to dislocate.
In April this year, he stopped walking completely because of the pain and was put on medical leave from school.
In July, he had a hip reconstruction and muscle release surgery on the right hip and was forced to spend five weeks in a body cast from his toes up to his chest.
Five weeks later, he surprised everyone by walking again, against the odds.
The filmer later wrote online: "[He was] telling everyone that he would walk again.
"Mom and Dad were not as sure and explained to Giovanni that walking again would take lots of hard work in physical therapy."
"Boy, did he prove us wrong," she continued.
"On August 22, 2016 Giovanni had the body cast removed and walked within hours of its removal.
"Giovanni's proved again that if he wishes to accomplish a goal, he will not let anything stand in his way."
The inspiration video was filmed in Richland, Pennsylvania in August this year and shows Giovanni walking with the help of a frame in front of his mum and dad.
He suffers from a condition called Schwartz–Jampel syndrome (SJS) which, according to the filmer, is so rare, less than 100 cases have ever been reported.
The condition caused Giovanni's muscles to become incredibly tight and the stiffness eventually caused his hips to dislocate.
In April this year, he stopped walking completely because of the pain and was put on medical leave from school.
In July, he had a hip reconstruction and muscle release surgery on the right hip and was forced to spend five weeks in a body cast from his toes up to his chest.
Five weeks later, he surprised everyone by walking again, against the odds.
The filmer later wrote online: "[He was] telling everyone that he would walk again.
"Mom and Dad were not as sure and explained to Giovanni that walking again would take lots of hard work in physical therapy."
"Boy, did he prove us wrong," she continued.
"On August 22, 2016 Giovanni had the body cast removed and walked within hours of its removal.
"Giovanni's proved again that if he wishes to accomplish a goal, he will not let anything stand in his way."