He was left for dead and even when his mother discovered that he was still alive she could not afford to pay for any medical help. However, his mother's tender care ensured that the youngster did survive, but in later life Niccolo always wore a beard to camouflage his disfiguring scars and he could only speak with difficulty, hence his nickname Tartaglia, or stammerer.
Siya ay sa kaliwa para sa patay at kahit na kapag ang kanyang ina natuklasan na siya ay buhay pa siya ay hindi kayang magbayad para sa anumang medikal na tulong. Gayunman, ang kanyang ina ng malambing na pag-aalaga ensured na ang youngster ay makaligtas, ngunit sa paglaon ng buhay Niccolo palaging wore ng balbas sa kanyang balatkayo disfiguring scars at siya lamang ay makipag-usap sa kahirapan, kaya ang kanyang palayaw Tartaglia, o utal.