Bruno’s dream comes true at the Olimpico

At birth, he suffered from infantile ischaemia, which affected the movement of the left side of his body, particularly his hand and foot. Every day, Bruno works hard to perform tasks that we often take for granted in children: getting dressed by himself, doing up the buttons on his jeans, and holding his toothbrush and toothpaste.

His mother Valetina told us his story.

“My son has done karate since he was four years old, but he always dreamt of doing something else: playing football.”

Up until now, that dream had not come true. The family, who live in Tuscolano, a neighbourhood in the south of the capital, tried to sign Bruno up for every football academy in the area. None accepted him or were able to do so.

As well as being a member of “Fight The Stroke”, an organisation that supports young people with disabilities resulting from cerebral palsy, Bruno is registered with the Italian Federation of Paralympic and Experimental Sports and the inclusive football school “Bimbi Sperduti”. But it’s not the same as playing for fun with kids from his neighbourhood.

“As a mum, I’ve sometimes thought that perhaps it was better that way,” reflects Valentina, “because at least an individual sport like karate doesn’t force you to face a team that might make you feel guilty if you lose.”

“I believe,” she adds, “that we shouldn’t be afraid to let these children play. They’re just like everyone else, they have the same dreams, but sometimes they’re denied the right to make them come true.”

Among Bruno’s wishes was also to see his idols up close: the Roma players. “Malen, Soulé, Dybala and Svilar are his favourites,” reveals his mum.

We thought that at least this dream of Bruno’s deserved to come true.

So the Club invited him to join the mascots who accompanied our players onto the pitch for the match against Pisa. He walked on alongside his little sister, while his mum and dad watched from the stands.

“My husband Carmine and I are grateful for the opportunity that Roma has given our son,” concludes Valentina. “Our hearts are full of gratitude. We’re delighted with the experience Bruno and his sister had and with how he was treated by the whole staff, including the players, who gave him a high five.”

“This experience has exceeded all our expectations. Receiving attention from the players we love is no small thing. It’s a memory that will stay with Bruno for the rest of his life.”