CALLEGATI- Roberto, 17 of Huntington Station on October 10, 2010. Beloved son of Rosa Maria & Giacomo. Loving brother of Giuseppe. Adored grandson of Maria Russo & Maria Callegati. Roberto will be loved and missed by many Aunts, Uncles & Friends. Visitation Wednesday 2-4 & 7-9 PM at M.A. Connell Funeral Home, 934 New York Avenue, Huntington Station. Mass Thursday 9:45AM St. Patrick's Church, Huntington. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested donations made to C.H.O.P. Cardiology, in care of Dr. Hanna, Pulmonary Hypertension Program, 34th Street and Civic Center Blvd. Philadelphia, PA, 19104.
Bobby was born with health issues- heart, lungs, you name it. He had a rare condition called DiGeorge's Syndrome.
For his entire life, he was confined to a wheelchair, dependent on constant oxygen, and other people. In addition to this, he had emotional and behavioral needs that had to be met, placing him in special education.
Bobby was lucky. While many teachers and aides looked on him with pity, others did not want to deal with his physical issues, as well as his emotional/behavioral issues.
Except one, and that woman is my mother.
Mom dealt with Bobby's issues, and soon they were more than a team. Mom was part of the family. Bobby's behavior improved dramatically, even though nothing could really be done for his physical state.
Bobby was one of those kids who you could only tell had a problem by the ever present wheelchair, oxygen tank, and small body. He had a heart of gold, a zest for life, and a constant light in his eye. He had boundless enthusiasm, a thirst for learning new things, and a winning smile.
Before he'd ever met anyone in my family besides mom, he'd dubbed Dad "The Big Guy." When he first met me, he held out his arms for a hug, beaming and shouting my name.
Yesterday morning, Bobby broke his leg. The stress was too much for his body, and fluids overtook him.
The mortality rate for DiGeorge's is very slim.
The doctors said he'd be lucky to make it to nine years old.
Bobby made it to 17.
Bless you, Bobby, for being you, and for what you did for Mom.
I'd tell you to rest in peace, but something tells me you've ditched that wheelchair and are running laps in Heaven
