'He Is Fighting': Beloved Kindergartner Recovering, 'Night Out For Orazio' Fundraiser Will Support Family

TINLEY PARK, IL — The Tinley Park and surrounding communities continue their show of support for a beloved 5-year-old recovering after a medical emergency.

Orazio Castelli suffered a sudden seizure just days after the start of school. Doctors discovered that he was experiencing bleeding in his brain caused by an arteriovenous malformation, or AVM. An AVM is an abnormal tangle of blood vessels in the brain, similar to a tightly knotted bowl of spaghetti. The vessels can be fragile, and may rupture without warning—as in Orazio's case.

It has led to weeks of hospitalization, medical procedures and ongoing treatments. Orazio's family owns Frankie's Est. 1988, an Italian restaurant in Tinley Park, and their reputation for generosity and helping others in times of need has inspired similar support for the St. Mary's kindergartner as he recovers.

A GoFundMe started for the family has raised $155,000 to-date, and the St. Mary's community has adorned trees on its campus with blue ribbons in Orazio's honor. An upcoming "Night Out for Orazio" will be held at the restaurant on Sept. 29, where a portion of dine-in proceeds will go toward his recovery. Originally set for Sept. 29 and 30, the latter date has sold out. Bookings for Sept. 29 remain as of Wednesday afternoon.

"It is hard to believe how much life can change in a matter of moments," his family updated supporters Wednesday. "Just a few short weeks ago, Orazio was our energetic, soccer loving little boy — running nonstop, getting ready for kindergarten at St. Mary’s School in Mokena, talking about Messi, and doing all the things a five year old should be doing.

"Then everything changed."

Angela and husband Orazio called the first few days "absolutely terrifying.

"There were so many unknown," they shared. "Orazio initially could not speak. His right side was significantly affected. He could not walk, chew, feed himself, communicate what he needed, or understand why suddenly he was back in a diaper and his little body would not do the things it had always done so effortlessly.

"And yet, little by little, we began witnessing something extraordinary."

His physical progress, they say, has been remarkable, with Orazio having regained some movement in his right side, as well as speaking again, smiling, sitting up, feeding himself, and taking assisted steps walking.

"The greatest challenges right now continue to involve the areas affected by the injury to the left side of his brain — particularly language, communication, processing, understanding and finding the words he wants to say," the update reads. "There is frustration. There are still things his brain and body are having to relearn. But Orazio continues to work incredibly hard even though he’s traumatized."

He is working with staff at Shirley Ryan Agility Lab to further his recovery and on Oct. 1, will undergo another brain surgery to remove the AVM. He'll then return to Shirley Ryan for inpatient rehabilitation.

"And that is only the beginning of the next chapter," the update reads. "We know now that this will not be a short road."

READ ALSO: St. Mary's School, Communities Rally Around Kindergartener After Medical Emergency

Orazio will undergo ongoing speech and occupational therapy, physical rehabilitation, appointments, testing and continued monitoring throughout childhood. As they take next steps forward, his parents thanked the community for their support.

"There are so many pieces of life that have suddenly changed for our family," they said. "Which is why you have not seen us at Frankie’s since August 22 when the tragic incident occurred.

"Through all of it, though, we have been surrounded by an extraordinary amount of love.The generosity shown to us has helped in more ways than we could ever adequately explain. Every donation, gift card, prayer, message and act of kindness has helped lighten a load that at times has felt impossible to carry to be honest.

"We have seen blue ribbons appear throughout the community in support of Orazio. We have watched friends, neighbors, businesses and complete strangers rally around our sweet boy."

The St. Mary's community, they said, has been "incredible."

"The love shown by the school, families and especially the students has touched all of us deeply. These kids have gone above and beyond for their friend — finding ways to encourage him, make him smile and remind him that an entire community is waiting for him and cheering him on.

"For a little boy who so badly wants to go HOME, these reminders matter more than people realize."

The family said the community support has uplifted them the past two months—and will continue to in the days head.

"There are still hard days ahead," they said. "We miss our home. There are still unknowns There is another major surgery coming. There will be months and years of healing, therapies, scans and milestones that once seemed ordinary but now mean everything.

"But there is also so much hope. Orazio is here. He is fighting. And he is surrounded by more love than we ever could have imagined.

"To every single person who has donated, prayed, shared his story, worn blue, sent something for Orazio, fed us by sending gift cards or simply reached out to remind us that we are not alone — thank you.

"You are helping carry us through one of the most difficult seasons of our lives."