Editor’s Note: In honor of the many everyday Staten Islanders who give back, make change, inspire others, advocate and/or care about their community, we are highlighting some of the standouts, and honoring them as Staten Island’s Brightest Lights of 2025.
Staten Island’s Brightest Lights of 2025: John Michael Pasquale
Against overwhelming odds, 9-year-old John Michael Pasquale marked a milestone moment when he returned to school after 17 grueling months in the hospital. In September 2023, he suffered a life-threatening stroke triggered by a blood-vessel rupture—an event that left doctors warning he might not walk or speak again. Yet, with fierce determination and the unwavering support of his family and medical team, John Michael made a triumphant return to PS 6.
“Just remember, you’re not gonna get this every day,” said his mom, Maureen, wiping away tears as hundreds of schoolmates lined the hallways at 9 a.m., each wearing green — John Michael’s favorite color — and cheering his name. “Today is just a very special day.”
Here is his story, originally published Feb. 24, 2025:
When John Michael Pasquale suffered a stroke caused by a life-altering blood vessel rupture on Sept. 9, 2023, doctors told his parents that he might not survive the night. If he did, there would most certainly be significant challenges and deficits. He might never walk again. He could lose his ability to speak.
There were multiple surgeries and angiograms, countless X-rays, MRIs and CT scans. A second stroke. He was intubated and placed on a ventilator, heavily sedated, unresponsive and unable to move. The once-exuberant 8-year-old wasted away to 35 pounds as doctors searched for a way to save his life.
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Third grader who suffered a brain rupture in 2023, returns to school at PS6
Seventeen months passed. Two Halloweens, two Thanksgivings, two Christmases, two very quiet New Year’s Eves. A couple of World Series and Super Bowls were watched from a hospital bed.
But Monday, Feb. 24, was a good day. After countless days of rehab, months and weeks of fighting for his life, John Michael returned to school at PS 6 in Tottenville.
“Just remember, you’re not gonna get this every day,” said his mom, Maureen, wiping away tears as hundreds of schoolmates lined the hallways at 9 a.m., each wearing green — John Michael’s favorite color — and cheering his name. “Today is just a very special day.”
Throngs of students at PS 6 wave glittery handmade signs, and staffers don bright T-shirts reading “John Michael Strong” as the principal leads an emotional clap-in for John Michael. (Staten Island Advance/Jan Somma-Hammel)STATEN ISLAND ADVANCE
And oh, how special it was. As his father, Daniel, guided his wheelchair through the halls, throngs of students waved glittery handmade signs, and staffers donned bright T-shirts reading: “John Michael Strong.” Principal Michele Bennett led an emotional clap-in for the grade-schooler, who from this day forward is focused on living his best life.
“We are looking forward to the future,” his mother said. “I think there are still a lot of obstacles to overcome, but we’re seeing progress every day, and that helps us to remain positive and optimistic.”
John Michael hugs a classmate during his return-to-school celebration on Monday, Feb. 24, 2025. (Staten Island Advance/Jan Somma-Hammel)STATEN ISLAND ADVANCE
John Michael, now 9, was at home in Charleston playing video games when he complained of a bad headache before suffering a sudden loss of vision. In the emergency room, a CAT scan showed bleeding in his brain.
According to doctors, John Michael had suffered a stroke from a ruptured Arteriovenous Malformation (AVM). Defined as an abnormal collection of blood vessels where the arteries and veins connect directly without the normal capillaries in between, AVMs develop during gestation, a “tangle” of vessels that are generally asymptomatic until a sudden rupture happens resulting in stroke.
Students and staff at PS 6 welcome John Michael back to school. (Staten Island Advance/Jan Somma-Hammel)STATEN ISLAND ADVANCE
“We’ve been told it forms within the first eight weeks of gestation, and there’s only a 2% chance of it rupturing year over year,” Maureen Pasquale said. “We just happened to be in that 2%.”
John Michael had not one AVM, but five — four of which were clustered together. To make matters worse, his rupture resulted in a blood clot, which was lodged deep within the vessels, causing the second stroke and resulting seizures.
After several surgical procedures, there were painful injections twice a day to dissolve the clot and keep it from recurring. A trach tube was inserted to protect his airway, as well as a G-tube, because he was unable to chew and swallow.
John Michael poses with classmates. (Staten Island Advance/Jan Somma-Hammel)STATEN ISLAND ADVANCE
He was transferred to a Traumatic Brain Injury Acute Rehabilitation Hospital on Oct. 31, 2023. There, he received physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech and swallow therapy, vision therapy, and standing table sessions Monday through Friday. His parents were by his side 24/7, taking sabbaticals from work to care for their son full time. A family member started a GoFundMe page to alleviate some of the financial burden that accrued over the past year-and-a-half.
After 528 days of hospitalization, he was finally able to return home on Feb. 18.
A bulletin board with messages of encouragement for John Michael is displayed at PS 6. (Staten Island Advance/Jan Somma-Hammel)STATEN ISLAND ADVANCE
“It’s good to be home, but stressful and nerve-wracking all at the same time,” Maureen Pasquale said. “We’re still working on his speech and feeding, but he’s the most resilient child I know. He’s been through so much, and somehow still finds a reason to smile and laugh.”
Pasquale said her son is eager to play with his friends once again and return to some sort of normalcy. She noted that doctors have given him a very positive prognosis, but his biggest challenges include becoming more stable on his feet and building up the strength to resume his regular 9-year-old activities. Returning to school is a big part of that.
“There’s a long road ahead, but we are so grateful for all the support we have received,” said John Michael’s mother, Maureen Pasquale. (Staten Island Advance/Jan Somma-Hammel)STATEN ISLAND ADVANCE
“This is a big day for him; for all of us,” Pasquale said. “There’s a long road ahead, but we are so grateful for all the support we have received. When something like this happens, you realize that you are surrounded by amazing people. We are so excited that this day has finally come.”
To read more about John Michael’s journey or to donate to his recovery efforts, visit https://www.gofundme.com/f/82ws9x-john-michaels-recovery.