Point Park University's Student-Run Newspaper

Point Park Globe

Point Park University's Student-Run Newspaper

Point Park Globe

Point Park University's Student-Run Newspaper

Point Park Globe

Fourth Annual ‘Volley for Vision’ an inspiration

Cassie Bruno was born 15 weeks premature to Point Park University Volleyball Head Coach Mike Bruno and his wife Jennifer, and were ready to go home after going to Magee NICU, however they were stunned to learn that their daughter had stage five Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP), an eye disorder that causes blindness and restricts victims to walking with a cane.At the time, they didn’t even know what Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) WAS.  The Brunos immediately visited a world renowned retina specialist in Michigan who provided help, treatment and hope.”It was tough, it was terrible and it was one of the toughest things I have ever went through in my life, but you wake up each day and your embrace the next challenge,” Mike Bruno said. “We had to unite as a family. We had an older daughter Carly, who was three at the time, and we had to continue to be parents to her. It was a tough transitional time, and you get through those times with love and faith and you take each day as it comes.”The experienced led them to The Association for Retinopathy of Prematurity and Related Diseases better known as ROPARD, which eventually caused Bruno to put together Volley for Vision, which was held Saturday at Green Tree SportsPlex.  It is an event Mike Bruno routinely calls one of his favorite days of the year.  Over the past four year, he has not only raised around $16,000 for ROPARD, but is to trying help others affected with receive the quality care that Cassie received.”I just wanted to do something to give back to ROPARD for their help they have given our family,” Mike Bruno said. “Everything’s ‘Dig Pink’ or ‘Dig For a Cure’, a lot of things around breast cancer. I figured though that we could do our own thing that is unique to Point Park.”As the matches came to a conclusion, adults as well as children who have learned from Bruno as a 14-year-old at the Pittsburgh 3 Rivers Volley Club came to talk to Bruno to discuss the event with him and how it has brought them all together. “It’s fabulous,” Mike Bruno said. “Not only the campus community but the local volleyball community and a lot of the families and kids that I have coached come back and it is great. It just brings out the best in people, and they know what it means to me, they respond and I’m blessed to have so many good people respond to this cause.”Prior to the start of play, both Cassie and her older sister Carly were with the team as they got dressed in their team gear. Middle hitter Nicole Wurstle described the scene as she described their relationship as though they were sisters. A player would hold Cassie and Carly would run around in excitement and everybody would have a nice laugh.”With the prematurity, everything is delayed for her age,” Mike Bruno said. “She’s behind the eight ball in development, but she’s taking her own course, figuring things out at her own pace, making strides in her development and continues to do so. She has a little bit of autism too, which is another little obstacle in the road, but she continues to develop and maybe this time next year, she’ll be in a public school in a special needs classroom.”While Cassie’s condition does at times affect the way the family operates, Mike Bruno considers himself to be very fortunate.”It’s a challenge at times, but it’s our normalcy,” Mike Bruno said. “We go and it takes us longer to do things, for instance a routine going out for dinner can be challenging at times, but that’s the hand we’re dealt, and I wouldn’t trade it for the world because she is who she is and I love her to death.”Bruno has told his players about Cassie and how she has perservered. Wurstle really embrassed Cassie and for her it added a whole new respect for her head coach.”It was definitely very inspiring and we view Coach Bruno in a different way,” Wurstle said. “When I first heard about Cassie and her condition, and having a child suffering through that is something very difficult to deal with. I think it’s very cool that Coach Bruno does Volley for Vision.”When it comes to tough situations, defensive specialist remembers Cassie’s story and it helps her put things into perspective.”[Cassie’s story] has made me a better person because [Bruno] has shown me firsthand how to deal with adversity and make the best out of every situation and to be grateful for everything,” Ardinger said.While many take life for granted, and by meeting Cassie, outside hitter Chelsea Katkich has been able to appreciate life more.”I realized that life isn’t easy,” Katkich said. “Some people face hardships and have to overcome them. I love when Cassie comes to our games. She makes everybody smile and laugh. I appreciate things because of her and she truly is a miracle.”

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