Finn Schiavone, a teenager from Long Island, has made a remarkable recovery from paralysis following a traumatic brain injury sustained during a wrestling practice nearly three years ago. Once unable to walk, talk, read, or write, Schiavone has now fully regained his abilities—and credits a surprising source of motivation: a local Navy SEAL museum.
After two years of slow progress in rehabilitation, a turning point came when his aide brought him to the Lt. Michael P. Murphy Navy SEAL Museum in West Sayville, New York. The visit sparked something in Schiavone.
“I was dazed out half the time. But I remember coming here and thinking, this is the place. They’re going to be with me,” he recalled.
The exhibits showcasing courage and resilience made a deep impression. Over time, his visits to the museum became routine—monthly, then more frequently. The connection he developed with the museum staff, especially Executive Director Chris Wylie, became part of his recovery journey.
“This kid had this infectious smile and charisma, even when he couldn’t express himself fully,” Wylie said. “Every time he came back, something new changed.”
Schiavone was undergoing intensive rehab six days a week, and the museum served as a motivational anchor. In 2024, during a public event, he surprised even his mother by taking his first independent steps—after two years in a wheelchair.
“She had never seen him get out of his wheelchair and move on his own,” Wylie said.
Schiavone’s recovery is extraordinary, particularly given the timeline. Doctors typically consider significant functional recovery after two years to be rare.
Today, Schiavone is back on his feet, competing in strength challenges and continuing to push his limits. He plans to complete high school and hopes to enter the U.S. Naval Academy, with the goal of pursuing a career in special warfare.
“I have nothing but gratitude for this place,” he said, reflecting on the role the museum played in his transformation.
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