Seminole senior on the mend

Robbie Vasquez, hospitalized a few weeks ago after collapsing at practice, returns home earlier than expected.

By BOB PUTNAM
Published November 27, 2005

Robbie Vasquez has trouble seeing, but no trouble believing.

Vasquez, a senior cross country runner at Seminole, still has vision problems and numbness in his legs after collapsing from a brain aneurysm during practice two weeks ago. But he can walk and has regained his short-term memory.

He came home Monday after spending two weeks in the hospital. He is expected to return to school next semester.

"Doctors are calling him the miracle boy," said Robert Vasquez, Robbie's father. "He's home three weeks earlier than they thought he would be."

In fact, Robbie felt so good Saturday that he wanted go for a walk. He wanted to return to the place where he took an unexpected fall.

On Nov.10, Vasquez was running with teammates when he faded from the pack and collapsed. There was panic as teammates came to his aid. Vasquez was rushed to All Children's Hospital, where he had surgery to relieve brain hemorrhages from a tumor.

Rita and Robert Vasquez waited in the emergency room. They had been told Robbie might not recover.

Robbie's prognosis changed. Though he was heavily sedated to relieve the pressure on his brain, he awakened the next day and was greeted by family and friends.

But the injury prevented him from running with the Warhawks at the state meet.

Robbie ran junior varsity for three seasons. That didn't stop him. He lived each day for running and worked to make varsity this season. He never cracked the top five and didn't figure to be a factor at the state meet.

But he relished the chance to run at state.

His teammates did everything possible to ensure Robbie was with them during the race Nov.12 at Little Everglades Ranch in Dade City. The boys brought his shoes and placed them at the starting line before the race. Robbie's sister, Becky, carried his jersey as she cheered from the stands.

The Warhawks finished second as a team.

Robbie continued to receive support during his recovery. Families of the cross country runners cooked meals. Principal Rick Misenti and coach Bruce Calhoun called to check on his status. And Boca Ciega football coach Jean Gordon, a former assistant at Seminole, even stayed with Robbie at his hospital room one night so his parents could go home and sleep.

"The outpouring of love for my son is unbelievable," Robert said.

Robert eventually told his son he missed running with his team at state. But Robbie still was determined to finish what he started. As he walked with his father on Saturday, Robbie wanted to complete the practice he was supposed to finish with teammates two weeks ago.

"I know Robbie was upset that he didn't get to run," Robert said. "It was the last race he was ever going to have and it was his first time going to the state meet.

"He was so determined to show everyone that he never quit. I told him he's already won the biggest race of all."

[Last modified November 27, 2005, 01:19:10]