Liz Brown never imagined a routine hockey game would turn into a nightmare. She was watching her fiancé, Russel Del Gesso, play in Richland, Washington, when a shocking accident unfolded right before her eyes.
As her kids and parents cheered from the stands, disaster struck. An opposing player took a shot, and the puck slipped under Del Gesso’s visor, hitting him directly in the eye. Liz immediately sensed something was wrong as she watched him grab his face. Blood streamed down, and the game came to an abrupt stop.
Brown quickly arranged for her kids to leave with her parents while she helped Del Gesso out of his gear. They rushed to the emergency room, only to face a long wait. However, once Liz explained the severity of the injury, hospital staff prioritized Del Gesso. Doctors confirmed the worst: his eyeball had ruptured.
Since their local hospital lacked ophthalmology services, they had two options wait for an ambulance or drive to Seattle. Knowing that “time is tissue,” Brown and her father drove through the night, fueled by energy drinks, determined to get Del Gesso the help he needed.
In Seattle, surgeons managed to reconstruct the damaged eye, a result that even doctors found remarkable. However, restoring vision was another matter. Del Gesso’s eye currently has no sight and a detached retina. Doctors estimate there’s a 50% chance of reattaching the retina once the cornea heals enough for further surgery.
Even in the hospital, Del Gesso’s character shone through. Brown shared a touching TikTok video where, despite his pain, he rubbed her feet, demonstrating his unbreakable spirit. The video quickly went viral, gaining over 10 million views.
Del Gesso, heavily involved in the local hockey community, has inspired changes following his accident. Players who previously avoided full-face protection now wear cages. A local hockey shop reported selling 25 full cages the day after his injury.
As Del Gesso faces a long recovery, the outpouring of support from friends, family, and strangers has been overwhelming. Brown continues to receive valuable advice from people with similar experiences, helping her navigate this challenging journey.
The couple remains determined. “It’s just another challenge to overcome,” Del Gesso says. His strength and resilience are motivating not just Brown but their entire community to rally around them.
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