Jim Mandelaro’s story “Bobby Greco: A Passion for the Game” looks at the life of Geneva resident Bobby Greco, who was born with a rare congenital disorder that left him unable to walk or move his limbs. He has required frequent surgeries and other medical interventions. He needs assistance in all activities of daily living, including dressing, eating and bathing. He can move his hands only enough to drive his electric wheelchair.

When Bobby was an infant, doctors wrongly predicted he would never talk or show emotion. Bob and JoAnn Greco were advised to institutionalize their son. They decided to care for him at home.

By the time Bobby was 3, “We went from learning how to deal with a handicapped child to how to deal with a gifted one,” his father said.

Bobby learned to stand without crutches by using a parapodium and to use a computer with the aid of a head pointer.

Bob Greco was the lead singer for Nik and the Nice Guys, a popular party band, for 18 years. They performed at Buffalo Bills Super Bowl events and at parties, including some hosted by Bills quarterback Jim Kelly.

Bobby became a Bills fan and watched their games with his father during the Bills’ four-year Super Bowl run. At age 6, Bobby met Kelly, his idol, and a mix of athletes and rock stars when Kelly brought his StarGaze charity softball tournament to Rochester’s Silver Stadium.

“Just meeting everyone that day lit a fire. I know I wanted to do something with football. If I couldn’t play, I wanted to coach,” Bobby said.

When they attended Bills games,........

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