CHARLES FOX / INQUIRER
Tommaso Ferraro's eyes are examined during a checkup at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia in March. Experimental gene therapy appears to have done what nothing else could - restored his eyesight.
Inquirer Special Report: Envisioning a Cure
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Phila. researchers bring sight to blind
Eye to eye
With video screens pulsing a kaleidoscope of colors and waiters maneuvering platters piled with mega-burgers, Center City's Hard Rock Cafe was a chaotic environment even for someone with regular vision.
Walking to the table, Tommaso cradled his 6-month-old son in one arm, and held on to his wife with the other, her blonde curls splashing down his shoulder.
The group of 12 sat around a long table: patients, relatives, hospital staff. Manuela took a turn holding baby Giuseppe, leading everyone in an old Italian nursery rhyme: batti, batti le manine, che arriva il tuo papa - clap, clap little hands, your daddy's coming home. For a moment, they drowned out the restaurant's music.
Tommaso joined in the singing and - as Bennett looked down the table at him - he did something that just three months earlier would've been impossible.
He gazed across the table at his son.
Contact staff writer Tom Avril at 215-854-2430 or tavril@phillynews.com.
