DEFYING ALL ODDS
Robbie’s incredible grit helps him to 40 years
AFTER having a brain tumour removed at the age of two and a half, Robbie Raccanello’s family was told he wouldn’t live past the age of nine.
Yesterday, Robbie celebrated his 40th birthday at the Soutbrook Hall surrounded by family and friends who had helped him on his incredible journey – and he did so in style.
Robbie, who has had a lifelong dream of riding a motorcycle, was treated to a free ride through the country yesterday afternoon thanks to Mick Jackson’s Live to Ride Motorcycle Tours.
As the convoy of motorbikes and trikes pulled up to the hall, Robbie couldn’t believe his eyes.
Speaking to The Chronicle,
Robbie said it was great to have his friends and family with him to celebrate his birthday.
His mum, Elsa Raccanello, said Robbie’s life had been one marked by trial.
“Our life’s been that every night you go to bed and you wonder if tomorrow it’s going to be a good day or a bad day,” she said.
“Yet he’s always said, don’t worry mum, I’ll be alright.”
Mrs Raccanello remembered the neurosurgeon telling her to place her son in a home “because he was going to die”.
“And I said, if he’s going to die he’s going to die in my arms at home, not alone.”
She stayed by his hospital bedside for four months, and when he was released from hospital she fed him with an eyedropper to get him to learn to swallow again.
Mrs Raccanello was told Robbie would never walk or talk.
Yet at the age of 40, he can do all that and more.
“We’ve always tried to instil in him, there’s no such word as can’t,” Mrs Raccanello said. “And never say never.” So when Robbie was asked if he wanted to go for a motorcycle ride yesterday, the answer was obvious.
As he donned some borrowed biking gear, Robbie was asked whether he felt like a rock star.
There was only one answer – an enthusiastic “Yeah!”