Vinny Mercurio’s miraculous tale of survival is now measured in more modest but no less important steps.
After suffering a hemorrhagic stroke on Nov. 12, 2017, the now-13-year-old eighth grader at North Royalton Middle School once had his progress marked by major milestones.
Twenty-six days in Cleveland Clinic’s Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, 26 more on the hematology floor, 77 at the clinic’s Children’s Rehabilitation Center. Ten weeks of outpatient rehab. March 6, 2018 — the day he came out of his minimally conscious state and began talking again.
Now Mercurio pushes forward with smaller goals and rewards — popcorn at the Winking Lizard, money for video games, a Fitbit.
Recording his first birdie in golf doesn’t serve as the same kind of motivation, although it’s a desirable thrill he nearly experienced earlier this month.
![Vinny Mercurio, 13, of North Royalton, watches his ball after he swings on the driving range at the Firestone Country Club, Wednesday, June 9, 2021 in Akron, Ohio. [Karen Schiely / Akron Beacon Journal]](https://gamersnewsclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/f68bcae6-15b3-4e74-b277-23412157eb8c-mercurio04.jpg)

