Commack Boy With Special Needs Runs Disney 5K Marathon

COMMACK, NY — A Commack boy with special needs and a passion for running participated in Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend when he ran the Disney 5K. Vincent Gianelli, 10, joined 15,000 fellow runners in Epcot at 5 a.m. last Thursday for the marathon. His mother, Nicole, couldn't be happier for her son.

"I have no words to express how proud I am," she told Patch. "It’s an honor to be his mother. He’s taught me so many things about life. Just how people should be more compassionate, understanding and sympathetic. I live for him."

Four years ago, she and her husband moved to Commack from Queens for their son. Vincent is now a fifth grader at Sawmill Intermediate School in a school district Nicole said offers a great education and programs for special needs children.

Vincent has high-functioning autism and ADHD. But running has really helped him flourish, according to his mother. Vincent calls his dad every day to ask him if they could go on a run together. He also runs four times a week in the Rolling Thunder Track League.

"The sky is the limit for him," Nicole said. "I wish everyone could see the ability and not the disability."

Vincent's efforts culminated in a vacation to Disney World so he could participate in the theme park's Marathon Weekend. Nicole said Vincent's teacher, Denielle Cooper, asked everyone in the class to stand up when he left school Jan. 7 to head to Florida. Cooper repeated the process when Vincent returned to school and also successfully requested that the principal, Michelle Tancredi-Zott, honor Vincent's accomplishment with an announcement on the loudspeaker. Cooper also touched base with Nicole throughout their trip to ask for updates and photos of Vincent.

"People distance themselves sometimes from special needs kids," Nicole said. "But [Cooper's] become more than [Vincent's] teacher; she’s like our family."

Two years ago, Vincent received royal treatment from a Red Robin that came to Commack in May 2018. Vincent, 8 at the time, has a love of french fries, especially those from Red Robin. The restaurant made him an employee for the day and supplied him with an employee pin, shirt and hat.