When Christopher lost the ability to walk and breath on his own, little Will was only a toddler. In an interview with theĀ PeopleĀ he recalls how he and his dad were very close and did lots of fun things together. Christopher even taught him how to ride a bike by giving him instructions and being extremely supportive. When he lost his real life hero, Will was 11.
Just 10 months after his death, Christopherās wife and caregiver Dana was diagnosed with lung cancer. She passed away two years later, making Will lose both his parents. At the time, he was 13 years old and moved in with the familyās neighbors, Ralph and Ann Pucci, whom Dana trusted to raise him right.
Will once praised the family who adopted him, saying, āThe Puccis areā¦lifesavers. They are the very best people. [ā¦] They are the reason that I was able to emerge from the darkest period of my life ā relatively unscathed.
āThey took me in, and they loved me, not even like a son, they loved me, and do love me, as a son. The Puccis are my family and they always will be. [ā¦] When I say āIām going homeā ā itās their house,āĀ heĀ said
This young man grew up to his parentsā expectations. He is currently aĀ correspondent for Good Morning America, and has also contributed to ESPNāsĀ SportsCenterĀ and MSG Network, and continues being inspiration for many other young men.
