Brother-Like Bond Tightens After Big Surgery

They are an unlikely pair: one has Down syndrome and is largely nonverbal; the other is in the U.S. for the first time and plans to become an eye surgeon. Yet, James McNamara and Francesco Tripodi have become as close as brothers. It's a relationship defined by love, laughter and a LOT of tickling.

They are hoping their relationship will inspire people to vote for the video Francesco put together and entered into the AFS-USA ReelLife contest – find the video here. The winning family gets a trip to one of four U.S. cities – Francesco wants to go to San Francisco.

But let's back up. How did all this come about?

The story It didn't happen immediately. Francesco came to live with the McNamaras in East Greenwich last September, on an exchange program through AFS-USA. Both James and Francesco attend East Greenwich High School but, initially, they kept to their own activities. Slowly, things started to change. James would tickle Francesco. And Francesco learned how fun it was to make James laugh through wacky and loud call-and-responses. Soon, every day – multiple times a day – they were both dissolving in laughter.

When James had to undergo major surgery in January, Francesco's "normal American life" changed, with his host family focused on the hospital. Days stretched to weeks. Francesco and Neal, his host dad, would spend weekends in Boston with James and host mom Elizabeth. James was completely out of it the first couple of weeks, but Francesco seemed happy just being there.

One night, James took an unexpected downturn. Family members were ushered out to a waiting area as medical people crowded in. The next two hours were excruciating. Eventually, they were allowed back into see James. Thankfully, he was better. One day, as James's recovery continued, he offered his family a weak smile. He was coming back! Still, James didn’t laugh for weeks. When he finally did start laughing again, it was with Francesco first, naturally.

Francesco and James would love your vote – this is the only entry from Rhode Island! Here's the link. Thanks!