Tedy’s Team rookie to run 5th TCS New York City Marathon in honor of her dad & stroke hero
In the Community
In less than 100 days, Tedy’s Team rookie, Gabrielle Monaco will be running the TCS New York City Marathon in honor of her dad, Lou.
On December 14th, Lou was exhibiting signs that something was wrong. His walk was off, and he was having difficulties remembering peoples’ names. Lou’s family brought him to the hospital where he was diagnosed with a traumatic brain injury (TBI) with a massive brain bleed and was rushed into emergency brain surgery.
Two hours after Lou’s first craniotomy he was quickly sent back into surgery with a bleed worse than the first. They later found out that sometime between his first and second surgery, Lou had suffered two strokes.
Lou (top center) with his extended family, including Gabrielle (3rd from top right)
“One single day changed our family forever,” Gabrielle said. “Nothing in life prepares you for the aftermath of a TBI and stroke.”
After three brain surgeries and two strokes, Lou was left with global aphasia and spent 17 days in the trauma ICU before being transferred to an inpatient rehab.
“In true Monaco fashion, my dad is a fighter and continues to fight for his recovery every day,” explained Gabrielle. “I am running my 5th New York City Marathon for him, and all stroke and TBI survivors and their families.”
Three months into his recovery, Lou moved from Pennsylvania to Texas to attend inpatient rehab at a top TBI and stroke recovery center in Houston. Last month, Lou started physical, occupational, and speech therapy and is working hard for his comeback.
“Until you know someone going through this, you really do not understand all of the struggles that come with it,” Gabrielle said. “I am running to raise awareness and to fight for better systems of care. All survivors deserve a fighting chance.”
On November 2nd, Gabrielle will be taking on the TCS New York City Marathon with her fellow teammates to raise life-saving funds and awareness of stroke and heart disease.
To support her efforts, please visit her personal fundraising page.
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