Francesca

Francesca, from Rome, Italy, and her fellow quintuplets were born by emergency Cesarean section in November 1987, two months prior to their expected due date. Francesca was clearly in distress following the birth and received low Apgar scores.
By the age of fifteen months it was obvious that Francesca had developmental problems, as she could not stand or walk. Her legs were rigid and she could not bear her own weight in the upright position.

In October 1990, when Francesca was three years old, her parents took the What To Do About Your Brain-Injured Child Course and undertook The Institutes Intensive Treatment Program. After an enormous amount of hard work by Francesca and her parents, the young girl took her first independent steps at five years of age, and by the age of six she could walk a mile nonstop and was beginning to run and learn gymnastic skills.

Prior to becoming a graduate to life in October 1996, Francesca completed the Evan Thomas Institute Triathlon, comprised of 400 meters of swimming, 10 kilometers of biking, and 5 kilometers of running.

In the fall of 1996, Francesca entered school with her peers and easily assimilated into the class. She attended fifth grade and did very well, with geography and science as her favorite subjects. As her Italian teacher explained, when Francesca answers questions it is clear that she is above age level in intelligence.

After entering school Francesca continued to maintain her physical excellence by swimming, running, and stretching. One of her favorite activities is horseback riding, and she won a first-place cup for her ability to control her horse and maintain perfect posture while riding.

As Francesca continued to take the final steps towards full graduation from the program, the family began the Intensive Treatment Program with Michela, another of the quintuplets. Michela, also brain-injured at birth, attempts to walk using the overhead ladder while Francesca and her three other siblings–Eleanora, Alessandro, and Federico–cheered her on.

They and their parents have seen the wonderful results earned by Francesca and are intent on creating the same success with her sister.