At 73 he fulfilled his lifelong dream and graduated in Medicine and Surgery after 54 years.
He had promised it to his father before he died, and Enzo Fernando Buccolieroieri followed up on this wish, amidst the emotion of his grandchildren, friends and great-grandchildren gathered in the classroom of the Santa Patrizia complex where the graduation sessions of the course in Medicine and Surgery took place of the Vanvitelli University.
Enzo organized a small bus to take them all from Sava, in the province of Taranto, to Naples, to share the joy and emotion of this great day, when he finally wore the laurel crown that his sister-in-law placed on his head, after having discussed with emotion his thesis in Nervous and mental diseases entitled "Parkinson and typical parkinsonismia (plus)", assigned to him by his supervisor, Antonio Gallo, associate professor of Neurology at the I Neurological Clinic of the Vanvitelli University.
"An exemplary story of resilience - commented Professor Gallo at the end of the graduation session - Enzo Buccoliero remained enrolled at university for 54 years because, despite the many adversities that life had in store for him, he wanted to complete his studies which he began in 1970. Nothing made him give up, not even waking up at 2 in the morning to get on the bus at 5 in the morning, making a 7 hour journey and, often, staying awake the next night waiting at the station for the return bus. This for every exam, meeting with the teachers or to take courses".
The first hugs after his proclamation as Doctor of Medicine and Surgery were those of his nephews, children of his older brother who is no longer with us, but who had been the architect of his enrollment in the Faculty of Medicine, as it was called at the time. .
"My brother was graduating in Literature here in Naples - Enzo says, his voice still cracking with emotion - And he pushed me to enroll in Medicine. Then many things happened... My mother's illness, which I nursed for 18 years, then that of my father, shorter but equally painful and which required care, economic difficulties, my work as a farmer... Life can divert your path, slow it down, but this does not mean that you cannot equally reach your goal, your dreams. Even at 73 years, as happened to me today."
Enzo Fernando Buccoliero, to cope with his parents' illnesses and economic difficulties, therefore rolled up his sleeves by doing many jobs and continuing to study in the time allowed to him.
First farmer, then employee at the Justice of the Peace Offices, finally municipal employee at Social Services.
"Social services somehow had to do with the care of people - he explained - because that was always my desire. And then I promised it to my father, who asked me before he died. He told me: Enzo, don't give up. And I did it".
"This story must be an example for many young students - commented the Rector of the Vanvitelli University, Gianfranco Nicoletti - Difficulties in studies, those in life, are inevitable. But tenacity and perseverance are necessary elements to achieve one's goals. Everyone has the right to studies and training, and the University today must be more inclusive than ever and, as far as possible, supportive of young people and their future".
Reproduction reserved © Copyright ANSA