Embedded Files
Help Us Create a Safe and Accessible Home for Our Sweet Gio
Meet Gio — our brave, joyful little boy who has fought for his life since before he was born.
At just 32 weeks in the womb, Gio suffered multiple strokes, leaving him with severe brain damage, encephalomalacia, intractable epilepsy, developmental delays and cerebral palsy. Now 6, he lights up every room with his laughter, but he faces daily challenges most of us can’t imagine. We are raising funds to make our home wheelchair accessible so Gio can safely move, grow, and thrive. Every dollar brings us closer to giving him the safe, happy life he deserves.
The Day Our World Changed
Our story began when I was 32 weeks pregnant with Gio. At what was supposed to be a routine appointment, we were told the most shocking and devastating news: our unborn son had suffered multiple strokes in utero. I went through endless tests—over 20 vials of blood work, an MRI, multiple ultra-sounds, consultations with specialists—all while trying to stay calm and protect him.
We were told a C-section might be safest for Gio’s brain. At 37 weeks, I developed preeclampsia. Suddenly, I was being prepped for delivery with no time to prepare myself for what was ahead as doctors didn't even know.
On September 23, 2019, Gio only weighing 4lbs came into the world—the best day of our lives, and also the day everything changed forever. He was instantly taken by a team of eight doctors. All we wanted was for him to be okay. In my heart, I knew life was going to look different than we EVER had imagined.
A Fighter from the Start
Gio was born with severe brain damage from multiple strokes, encephalomalacia, and later diagnosed with developmental delay, severe epilepsy and cerebral palsy. He spent weeks in the NICU. I never left his side. He was so fragile, yet from the very beginning, he defied the odds—breathing on his own and showing us his strength. It took him days to open his eye, however the first time he did and looked into my eyes, I felt a calm wash over me. I knew then that no matter how hard it would be, we were going to fight for him. He became my teacher in courage, resilience, and unconditional love.
Seizures and Survival Mode
On February 29, 2020—Leap Day—we faced a nightmare we didn’t see coming. Gio had his first seizure, lasting 25 terrifying minutes. We were new parents, panicked, and calling 911 as we watched our tiny 5-month-old’s body fight against something we couldn’t stop.
That was just the beginning. Over the years, seizures became part of our lives. Some medications helped, others have not. We spent countless nights in the hospital, ER visit's including holidays and birthdays, and went through round after round of EEGs, always searching for answers. Multiple times trying steriods (shots in his legs 2x a day) to help control the seizures. Eventually, we learned he had Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome (LGS), a rare seizure disorder that is incredibly hard to treat. Although on multiple medications, with this type of seizure disorder its about finding the right "recipe" of medications that work for Gio as each kid is different. It's not as easy as treating others who have epilepsy. Gio continues to have multiple seizures daily. However, doctor's can not believe how well he is doing for all the seizures he has.
Life with Gio Today
Gio’s days are full of challenges, but also full of joy. The first 3 years of Gio's life was pretty rough, however things have been stable as he has gotten older. He is fed through a G-tube four times a day,and get's medications all throughout the day. Gio needs help with all daily living skills, and requires support to sit, stand, and move. He attends weekly therapy sessions—occupational, physical, speech, vision, hippotherapy, and dynamic movement intervention—and has started kindergarten this year with therapy support there, too.
Gio is non-verbal, but his laughter, smiles, and sparkling eyes speak louder than words. He is very auditory & loves to be around people. He is learning how to use a communication device, which he loves and its showing us how much he understands things and wants to be able to communicate with us. He loves school, being outside, going on walks, music, water play, and goofing around with his little brothers Luca (4) and Vincenzo (1). He has the most contagious belly laugh and a sense of humor that melts everyone who meets him.
Why We’re Asking for Help
As Gio grows, so does his equipment—and our home simply isn’t equipped for his needs anymore. Moving isn’t an option right now, so we must adapt our space so he can live safely and comfortably. Unfortunately, the accommodations provided by the state of Illinois are insufficient, making it extremely difficult for us to provide the essential support and amenities Gio needs in our home, along with some equipment. Many people have asked what they can do to help, so today Jeff and I wanted to share a few meaningful ways that would truly make a difference for our family.
Our most urgent need right now is to make our home wheelchair accessible by making structural modifications so Gio can move in and out of our home safely. This is just the first step in creating a space that will grow with Gio- a safe bedroom and bathroom, widening doorways, and room for his equipment.
How Your Donation Will Make a Difference
Your support will help us:
Build a safe, ADA-compliant home for Gio
Make structural changes so his equipment can be used safely
Medical equipment that insurance does not cover
Give him more independence and comfort in daily life
Every dollar helps, and every single donation means the world to us.
Donation Options
If you would like to help, we kindly ask for your support through direct donations via our Venmo provided below or if you prefer other ways to contribute, you're welcome to reach out to me by e-mail.
https://venmo.com/u/Lindsay-Griseta
You may also go to Gio's GoFundMe page for donations
From Our Hearts
We’ve had friends and family encourage us for years to share Gio’s story, but it’s taken me this long to be ready. We share our story not just for support and donations, but to open a window into our reality for those who have been afraid to ask questions. Gio's journey is one of courage, and we believe sharing it helps others understand the beauty and the difficulty of life with a complex condition. We want to tell it in a way that honors him—not just his challenges, but his joy, humor, and light.
Thank you to everyone who has reached out, prayed for us, or simply asked questions to understand more about Gio’s life. We will never stop fighting for him, and we are so grateful for any help you can give. Gio didn’t deserve what happened to him, but he continues to teach us about love, strength, and the beauty in life’s smallest moments. He's our little angel and we thank God for all three of our beautiful angels he's given us.
From the bottom of our hearts—thank you for reading, sharing, and supporting our family. If you have any questions feel free to reach out.
With Love,
The Griseta Family
Page updated
Google Sites
Report abuse