Armin Zilic, 7, had to wear a helmet all summer while he recovered from a brain surgery he underwent in June.
So when Zilic returned to his third-grade class at Bradley School Monday, after recovering from a second brain surgery, all students and teachers at the school wore crazy hats in support of him.
Crazy hat day raised money for Yale Neurosurgery Residency Education Fund and celebrated the boy’s recovery.
“I feel good,” Armin said as he saw his classmates arrive with a variety of hats, including fedoras and beanies.
He wore a New York Yankees cap, covering up stitches on his head.
“I’m a Yankees fan,” Armin said.
Armin suffered a brain hemorrhage on June 12, and underwent urgent surgery at Yale. Then he had to wear the helmet until Sept. 23, when he had a second surgery. His condition was caused by abnormal veins, according to his mother, Samira Zilic.
Armin had a 25 percent chance of survival after his brain hemorrhage, Samira Zilic said.
In all, Armin missed about a week of school this year.
“I don’t know how to find the words to thank (principal) Mrs. DiGrazia and everyone,” said Samira Zilic, who accompanied her son to his classroom and stayed for part of the morning.
Monday, students and staff donated $1 each to be able to wear crazy hats to school.
Bradley School Principal Christine DiGrazia wore a fishing hat with a fake fish on it. Armin’s teacher, Alicia Olenoski, wore a pointy Halloween costume witch hat.
“Thank you everyone for wearing crazy hats today. You are showing your friend Armin support and love,” DiGrazia told the students.
Samira Zilic requested the money go toward the Yale Neurosurgery Residency Education Fund. Armin was treated by Dr. Charles Duncan, Chief of Pediatric Neurosurgery at the Yale School of Medicine Department of Neurosurgery.
“Dr. Duncan saved his life,” Samira Zilic said. “They didn’t expect my son to be in this condition like he is now. But with his help and God’s help, here he is.”
Samira Zilic thanked the entire community for its show of support. She said it taught her a lot about the spirit of America, a place she dreamed of visiting when she was a girl growing up in war-torn Serbia.
She came to the United States in 2000.
“God bless this country,” Zilic said. “God bless the people.”
