Saturday, October 16, 2010

Straight from the Heart

You can't do what you love anymore. Not only can you not do that, you can't do anything that involves any serious activity. The worst part is, this isn't even a choice that was yours to make. Something that isn't even in your control is preventing you from doing something you love...Can you imagine how that feels?

That's how things were for young Bobby Pantano, who was diagnosed with a serious heart condition known as Bicuspid Aortic Stenosis at only age 2. For those who don't understand what this means, it basically meant that Bobby's aortic valve couldn't open completely, and his heart had to now work twice as hard to pump blood throughout his body. The stress from this can cause things such as heart failure and many other significant problems.

Bobby went through life as best he could, up until around 3 years ago when his condition started to affect his daily activities. Now normally, people with this condition don't see any symptoms until they are in their 40's or 50s...but Bobby had started to suffer from them at only 12 years old. He couldn't play sports, but more importantly, he was told he could not ride his scooter. However, that didn't stop Bobby. Riding was Bobby's passion, and he was not ready to give that up.

The condition would show no improvement, and Bobby and his family made the decision that he would have to undergo heart surgery. The procedure was said to be a minor one, called Catheterization. The procedure however, was not a success. As a result Bobby had to go through not one, but two, open heart surgeries this past summer at the Boston Children's Hospital.

The first surgery was meant to repair his aortic valve...the procedure failed. After spending another six days in the hospital, on the day Bobby was supposed to be able to go home, he was told he needed another surgery performed the next day called the Ross Procedure. What they would be doing was taking his pulmonary valve, and using it to replace his aortic valve, they would then replace his pulmonary valve. Throughout both surgeries, and all through recovery, there was only one thing on Bobby's mind. Getting back on his scooter. This would not come easy though. Bobby had to spend 2 months off of his scooter and go without any strenuous activities to ensure he didn't risk causing any further damage. Bobby tried his best to wait the full two months, but shortly before the two months was up, he couldn't resist at least getting out in his driveway and doing some riding. When the official date came around where Bobby could safely ride, he came back with a new outlook on riding and life. He got right back into it, feeling stronger, and more psyched to ride than ever before. The below video is footage from after his surgery.

What Bobby went through is something I would never wish anyone to have to experience. But the fact that Bobby is still here with us, and living and riding safely is reason for anyone to smile and be thankful for good health and happiness. I have a lot of admiration for Bobby, and anyone else who has had to face problems that were out of their hands that prevented them at one time or another from doing something they love. I hope Bobby and anyone else this relates too stays strong and never gives up whatever fight they have ahead of them. Congratulations Bobby on the successful recovery and the great video you made. I wish you nothing but the best brother.


-Written by Steven Tongson


30 comments:

  1. Truly an inspiration to all, Congrats Bobby

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  2. That speech was so inspirational Steven
    And im glad that Bobby is still riding today (Y)
    Your a legend to us all.

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  3. keep on riding strong man

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  4. wow dude glad hes ok great article to

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  5. this video gave me chills, its so crazy to see him riding this soon after such an intense operation. stay strong man and keep doing what you love!!

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  6. HELL YESS BOB!!!!!!!!!!! WE LOVE U MAN, its ben

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  7. wow this kid is amazing, this happened with my sister to, but she had a different kind of condition with her heart, it causes he to not be able to play soccer, and she loves soccer, but she took up instruments and she is trying to scooter here and there, but not as amazing as this kid

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  8. ^^^^^^^^^^^^ me2 dude

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  9. pretty much the Nick Mullins of scootering.

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  10. Thanks so much Steven, I really appreciate this. Thanks guys, I'm really glad everyone enjoyed this video and it had such a positive impact on people.

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  11. So inspired by this kid after reading the whole story.Hopefully he stays healthy so he can keep shredding!Bobby your a beast.

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  12. what an amazing comeback this was very moving

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  13. Reminds me of Charles doidge who has valley fever right Now

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  14. Awesome video Bobby and glad you stayed strong throughout the whole ordeal!

    Every time you make a video it is better and better. Keep it up man.

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  15. That was a really good video. Creative, origional, and enjoyable.

    I though i had it bad. I just got knee surgery 2 days ago and have to take a 3 month break from riding. But you went through multiple surgeries on your heart, and even rode before them when the doctors told you not to. Just out there doing what you love no matter what the risk is, that is truely admirable.

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  16. Best of luck Bobby, It pains me to see someone not being able to continue riding simply because they physically can't. But just keep fighting and you will get through it.

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  17. Thanks Steven for posting this, it really has impacted me and my riding, its so inspirational!!!!

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  18. I love you Bobby. Not because you've been thtough all those surgeries. But because you love to ride your scooter and listen to mad dubstep.

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  19. wow, and i thought i had it hard tearing my MCL ligament in my knee, that just makes me want to commit 150% to my recovery. dude seriously, props man thats all i can say i hope you see this.

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  20. Thanks sooo much everyone. I am so glad that not only did everyone enjoy reading and watching the video but also got some sort of positive mesage from it. What ever your situation may be, if this video inspireded you in any way I coulnd't be more happy. I want to thank everyone who had something postive to say or even think about this video and Stevon T. for taking the time out to write it.

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  21. saw you at h town last weekend asked to try your scooter hahaha, great video stay strong

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  22. Bobby, No need to thank me man...I enjoyed writing the article, because it really meant something. Your story is one that I wanted to be heard. And obviously it got peoples attention, so Thank you...for staying strong and staying dedicated to the sport. Take care

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  23. Im soo stoked for you Bobby, youre a strong person. Good to see that kind of dedication =)

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  24. Alll rescpect but I've have the condition its not that big of a deal.

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  25. Thanks John. To anonymous above, I don't know how bad your condition is but mine was in severe condition. I don't know if you went through all these surgeries and procedures and had to stop playing sports, but if you didn't I don't feel that your opinion is completely valid. All situations are different.

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  26. WOW truly inspiring, hope to see you get a lot better in the future:D (even though your amazing already, don't give up :) x

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  27. This is real motivation right here, this proves that all of the little things that i complain about are nothing compared to some people out there, you had it tough and you made it through mega props dude i feel blessed just watching you ride. My words cannot explain how stoked i am on just the fact that you made through surgery and can shred this hard, keep at it!

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