Jenna, Nate, Tim and Julien Riccio. PHOTO: COURTESY JENNA RICCIO
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Connecticut teachers and spouses Jenna and Tim Riccio say their "family is complete" after they adopted one of their students, 10-year-old Nate Innocent Riccio.
"He taught me how to be a mother," Jenna — a 37-year-old reading teacher at Walsh Elementary School in Waterbury, Conn. — tells PEOPLE in this week's issue.
"He's a perfect example of how you can persevere," adds Tim, 38, who was Nate's art teacher.
That's because Nate has endured the unimaginable amid his struggle with sickle cell anemia — and yet he's always maintained a positive outlook, the Riccios say.
More than three years ago, complications led to the amputation of Nate's legs below the knees, his left arm and two and a half fingers on his right hand.
"He is so outgoing and so resilient," Tim says. "He finds a way to do whatever he puts his mind to."
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