15-year-old Gianni is a dedicated athlete who never backs down from a challenge. Thanks to the support of Variety friends, Gianni has learned that he doesn’t have to face these challenges alone. In 2018, Variety helped Gianni achieve his wish to ride a bike for the first time since his paralysis. Being able to join his family on bike rides and be a kid again showed him that with the right support and mobility equipment, he can push the limits of what he thought was possible. 

Since then, he has been unstoppable, becoming one of Marquette University High School's fiercest wheelchair basketball players and breaking numerous state records in track and field. With his recent accomplishments, Gianni has shown that he's just as big of an athlete as anyone else, but he was beginning to feel held back by equipment that was not growing with him.  

Thanks to the generosity of Variety supporters, Gianni received an elite sports wheelchair this past August. With this new equipment, Gianni can continue to fully explore his passions without limitations and train to make his dreams of playing in the Paralympics a reality.