She’s running the Boston Marathon for her former patient

Boston Marathon

“I always told Gio he could do hard things, so now I do hard things for him,” Donnelly said.

In our “Why I’m Running” series, Boston Marathon athletes share what’s inspiring them to make the 26.2-mile trek from Hopkinton to Boston. Looking for more race day content? Sign up for Boston.com’s pop-up Boston Marathon newsletter.

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Name: Erin Donnelly

Age: 30

From: Boston, Mass.

I run for Gio, who will forever be 5 years old.

From the day I met Gio, I knew he was special. He was so small, yet larger than life.

“Hi. My name is Giovanni Thompson, and I like cheese,” was the very first thing he said to me. 

I’m a physical therapist at Franciscan Children’s, and Gio was a patient of mine for 6 months.

Gio had a rare genetic condition called Morquio syndrome. His little mind was 4 years old — so smart, quick wit, an imagination like wildfire — but his bones couldn’t keep up. 

Gio’s mantra was, “I can do hard things,” and he did.

His favorite superhero was The Hulk. Gio may have been tiny, but, in life, he was as big and as strong as any superhero.

Watching him take on the world with the body he had only makes me think of all he would have accomplished under different circumstances.

It was truly the most inspiring approach to life I have ever seen; just one of the many little lessons he taught me. He also taught me that food will always taste better off of a special green spoon, every handshake should end with a either a Hulk smash or a fart noise, and there is always time for one more hug.

Gio passed away surrounded by the love and comfort of his family about 6 months after he was discharged home.

While I’d never claim to have a favorite patient, I do think this little man chipped off a tiny piece of my soul and took it with him when he left Franciscan.

At 4 years old, he impacted my life tremendously and I carry him with me every day. I always told Gio he could do hard things, so now I do hard things for him.