Family of East Haven Teen Critically Hurt by Tree “See Progress”

EAST HAVEN, CT - In a few weeks it will be the one-year anniversary of when one of East Haven’s biggest tragedies occurred. On July 27th of 2017 a 30-foot tree tumbled down and critically injured 16-year-old Nick Vessicchio while he was mowing his own lawn.

It is also four months after Nick, who was a junior at East Haven High School at the time of the accident, has returned to that same home in East Haven after being hospitalized for life threatening injuries. In the months he was away being treated, volunteers from East Haven and beyond pitched in to make the home ready for Nick and his family when the teen returned home.

Patch has kept in touch with the Vessicchio family during this trying time - and the family wrote Patch this week to bring us up to date on how he and the family is doing.

Here is the Vessicchio letter below:

“We would like to thank everyone again who has helped, continues to help and has offered help to Nick and our entire family. Very often, thoughts about that generosity and kindness help us to get through some very tough days.

“Nick came home on February 23rd. We started bringing Nick to Fairfield 5 days a week for Hyperbaric oxygen therapy and massage therapy. Unfortunately, this is not covered by our insurance and is very expensive. We do see progress so we are doing whatever it takes to keep the treatments.

“Nick is also getting other treatments, such as LENS Neurofeedback, Low Level Light Therapy and Bioregulation Therapy from Holistic Health and Healing Center, in East Haven, which are covered, plus we are exploring and advocating for any other services to improve his quality of life and long road to full recovery. The progress we see is slow, but IT IS progress and that gives us great hope.

“Nick is SO strong. He is fighting to recover and we can see the determination in his eyes while he's working to improve.

“Our home is equipped for wheelchair access and basic needs. Our yard has also been redesigned to better suit Nick so that we all can enjoy our cherished family times outside. Nick's brothers, Anthony and Michael, along with many other family members, friends, and generous businesses have made this all possible. We are so very grateful for all of this, but quite honestly, we wish that it was not necessary. Every single day we would trade it all for this not to have ever happened.

“Ray, Nick's father, went back to work. Sue, Nick’s mother, needs to be by Nick’s side to organize, participate and oversee his care. We have family and friends by our side each and every day, and this ongoing support is so vital to Nick's recovery and our ability to complete this journey with him. Nick’s friends stand strong beside him, visiting quite often, offering support and love in many ways, especially at our beloved backyard bonfires--for this, we are forever grateful.

“We ask that you continue to pray for Nick’s recovery and the strength for us as we continue down this difficult road. Nick's 8th grade yearbook quote by Kobe Bryant says it best-"Everything negative--pressure, challenges--is all an opportunity for me to rise." Please continue to be #NICKSTRONG.”

Meanwhile, friends are planning a fundraising event to help the Vessicchio family needs.

The event - “Vessicchio Family Event” - will be held from 1-7 p.m. on July 22nd at Mountain Mist in Meriden.

There will be food all day, swimming, volleyball, wiffleball, horseshoes, bocce and more.

Tickets are $40 and must be bought in advance - none will be sold at the door.

To buy tickets, checks made out to Anthony Vessicchio should be mailed to: Joann Gondek; 36 Sharon Drive, East Haven, CT 06512.