Now only Francesca remains. His classmate at the Virgilio classical high school in Milan Leonardo Bove left the Niguarda hospital after six months. He and she were among the most seriously injured in the tragic fire that occurred on New Year’s Eve in Crans-Montana.
From that inferno in which 41 people died, including 6 Italians, Leonardo emerged with burns on 50 percent of his body. His parents searched for him for 48 hours until, thanks to a DNA test, he was recognized in a hospital in Zurich, admitted together with another classmate, Kean. He was transportable, Leonardo was not and so he will only arrive at Niguarda on January 11th.
Thus began six long months in hospital in which he courageously underwent many operations to reconstruct his skin, medications and a lot of physiotherapy to regain the use of his limbs.. Treatments to which they contributed with a fundraiser by SSD Franco Scarioni 1925, the historic football club in the Ortica district of Milan, where the boy plays. Furthermore, during the first days of his hospital stay, when Leonardo was still in a medically induced coma, his closest friends recorded and played him continuous voice messages with their voices to give him the strength to fight and guide him towards awakening.
His discharge was welcomed with great satisfaction by doctors and family, after a very long and complex process. The health management of the Niguarda hospital was keen to point out that the return home, although wonderful news, does not coincide with the end of the treatment. The doctors specified that for Leonardo (as well as for the other boys discharged in the previous weeks) “the program of checks, periodic medications and any follow-up surgical interventions will continue regularly throughout the summer season and in the months to come”. The boy will therefore have to constantly return to the facility to monitor tissue regeneration and motor rehabilitation.
There is a very moving video that testifies to his return home: Leonardo is seen with his face completely bandaged taking steps on his legs.
Now only she remains, Francesca Nota. Last June 14, his classmates from Virgilio high school, friends from the oratory where he volunteered and other injured young people who had already been discharged organized an impromptu party for his birthday in front of the Niguarda, with signs, banners and various gifts: bracelets, a pair of trousers and a pair of sneakers. Plus, a beautiful cake made by grandma. And she thanked everyone, finding the strength to greet them from the window.
“You are certainly the most problematic case, destined to remain in hospital for a while longer”, explained the Welfare councilor of the Lombardy Region, Guido Bertolaso, “at least until August 15th”. And then everyone hopes to find themselves among Virgil’s school desks.
