MobilityWorks
Accessibility for all: Helping people connect with who and what matters most
Searching...
No results found. Please try modifying your search.
Ernest Patti, like a lot of kids, was excited to start college. His parents Susan Fiore and Dr. Ernest Patti, Sr., moved him from New York to the University of Miami and Ernie began Freshman orientation and classes. About a week into the school year, Ernie had a terrible accident.
On August 22, 2020, Ernie went to the beach with his new roommates to go swimming. While he was in the water, the tide knocked him off of his feet. Ernie knew that he was in trouble and called to his friends. Ernie was unable to move, but thankfully his friends were able to get him out of the water. Almost immediately, Ernie took charge and alerted all who were nearby that he was seriously injured. Thanks to his quick-acting friends and local emergency personnel, Ernie was rushed to nearby Jackson Memorial Hospital. Within two hours of the accident, Ernie underwent spinal surgery to repair a burst fracture of his C6 vertebra.
Susan and Dr. Ernie got the call that no parent ever wants to receive; they both dropped everything and rushed to Miami. Due to the pandemic, it was initially impossible for them to even get into the hospital to be with Ernie. After some animated discussions (and some New York persuasion), Ernie Sr. and Susan got in and have been at Ernie’s side ever since.
Susan and Ernie Sr. are incredibly grateful for the resources and profound expertise of the spinal injury community in Miami and believe that it is the best place for Ernie’s treatment and rehabilitation at this stage. Unfortunately, Ernie’s sisters, Alex and Victoria, remain in the Northeast in order to comply with COVID restrictions and have not been able to see their brother.
Since the injury, Ernie’s grit and determination have never wavered. Despite the circumstances, Ernie remains unbelievably positive. He attacks his therapy and works as hard as his doctors will allow him. This is critically important, as intensive interventions in the months immediately following a serious spinal injury can have the greatest benefits. The harder Ernie works right now, the better for his long-term recovery.
Expenses for the victim of a catastrophic spinal injury can exceed $ 700 thousand in the first year, over and above medical costs covered by insurance. Those expenses can continue at a level of approximately $ 120 thousand in subsequent years, depending upon the extent of deficits. For Ernie and his family, current costs include temporary housing, private aide help, rehabilitation / therapy not covered by insurance, and transportation, among others. Longer-term needs may include home & vehicle modifications, ongoing aide & rehabilitation costs, and education adaptations. Even for people with good jobs and good insurance, the costs are overwhelming.
This has been a lousy year for everybody. The strain on Ernie and his family is unimaginable. Despite it all, Ernie, Susan, Ernie Sr., Alex, and Victoria remain upbeat and grateful for the prayers, concern, and outreach of so many. The extended Fiore and Patti families are a constant source of support and love as they rally around Ernie and support his recovery.
Ernie, Susan, and Ernie Sr. need our help. They would never ask, so we’re asking. Ernie is going to work as hard as humanly possible to recover from this devastating injury. He is already doing that. Rehabilitation and adaptation are going to be enormously expensive, and Ernie, Susan and Doc need to focus entirely upon his recovery.
If you are able to help, please consider donating to support this beautiful family during the most difficult time of their lives.
We have chosen to fundraise for Help Hope Live in part because Help Hope Live assures fiscal accountability of funds raised and tax deductibility for contributors. Contributors can be sure donations will be used to pay or reimburse medical and related expenses. To make a tax-deductible donation to this fundraising campaign, click on the Give button.
For more information, please contact Help Hope Live at 800.642.8399.
Thank you for your support!
Dear friends,
Today we crossed over the $80,000 mark for #TeamErnie. We can’t thank you enough for being among the early supporters in the first 72 hours.
A special call-out to all the starving college students and recent graduates who have donated during these first three days. Your support of Ernest, Victoria and Alex in the last 4 months is inspirational.
Ernest, we do this all for you….keep pulling!
Loading Images
We're praying for your speedy recovery, Ernest.
John Byrne
Ernest, you are a young man of incredible resilience and grit, Supported by a family of dynamos. The Steins are with you- and Susan, Ernie, Alex and Victoria. Sending our love.
Jean Marie Stein
Holding Ernie and the Patti family close in our hearts. Sending healing thoughts and prayers.
Emily Bernard
Life is Crazy... “It is worth remembering that the time of greatest gain in terms of wisdom and inner strength is often that of greatest difficulty.” - Dalai Lama. Wishing all the best in your recovery.
James Kang
Hi Ernie - Coach (Red) told us about your situation. Hang in there. As a fellow SCI survivor (Transverse Myelitis), I can tell you your determination to improve and give PT and OT your best Every. Single. Day. is critical. And you're in a great place for it, one of the best in the world. By the grace of God you can and will get through this. I'll be praying for you. If I can be of further help to you or your family please let me know. Pastor Kent Keller
Kent Keller
Thanks to Red Dog for letting us know and then to have a chance to contribute to this noble cause
Rogelio Lara
FIORE'S ARE TOUGH AND YOU WILL GET THRU THIS!!-JOE
JOE VEGA
Prayers and best wishes for a speedy recovery.
Mark Lulka
Many prayers and much love, Jane, Jim, Tara & Danny Murray
Jane Murray
Wishing you a speedy recovery. Barrett Regan & Family
Barrett Regan
Wishing you a speedy recovery. Keeping you all in our prayers.
Mary Grochowski
Hi Ernest, Sending you prayers and support from the Culinary Team at Manursing. Keep the Faith and work hard! Chef John and Team
John Krall
Blessing to Ernest for a speedy recovery.
Nelson Roman
Wishing you the best on your recovery Ernie! We appreciate you being such a kind friend to Chase and have prayed for you every day since the accident. Thinking good thoughts and sending our best. Chase Henjes and Family
Chase Henjes and the Berg Family
Stay strong and fight on. We are praying for your recovery. Love, The Dolces
Jake Dolce
Dear Ernie & Family, Your family is in our thoughts and prayers during these challenging times. Stay strong and keep the faith. With Love, Andrea, Chris and co.
Andrea Pace
GOOD LUCK AND STAY STRONG, WE LOVE YOU DENISE AND RONNIE
DENISE KIMMEY
My prayers and thoughts for Ernest keep getting better!
Kathleen Malara
Hey! Just saw your TIK tok! I really hope this helps
Anonymous
Wishing Ernest continued progress in his recovery. Best wishes to the Fiore-Patti family. Evelyn and Morris Cherniak (Heather Segal's parents)
Heather Segal
Best wishes to the Patti family from the Haft family
Lisa Haft
Thinking of all of you.
Ellen Whitely Slicklen
We’re rooting for you Ernie!
Amrita Sooklal
Stay strong and keep fighting!
Anonymous
Maia wishes her fellow RAR athlete and his family the best!
Vida Foubister
prayers Prayers Prayers
Mary Beth Rocco
Prayers to you and your recovery!
Yvonne Nicholls
Sending much love to you all. Susan, Campbell, Iain and all of the McLaren clan
Susan and Campbell McLaren
Wishing you a successful recovery and sending lots of love and hope from SC ❤️
Camille Wheeler
you got this!!
masey hurley
Big man Ernest gonna keep fighting I know it
Fred Randell
Get week soon Ernie!!! :)
Rayssa Gomes
Best wishes to Ernie and the Patti Family. We are thinking of you all, The Cox Family Bob, Amy, Bobby, Aaron, Jason, Charlie and Sarah
Amy Pepe
praying for you ernie. keep fighting brother ❤️ you got this!
raff brown
From one rower to another, wishing you and your family the best of luck during this difficult time. Crush that metaphoric last 250m of your recovery!
Anonymous
To the Patti family - my heart goes out to you all and I pray for Earnest's recovery. We had a similar incident with my son in August, 2019 and by the grace of God, he has recovered. I attach the link if you want to read the story but I certainly understand the pain you are going through. My wife and I still have PTSD. Best of luck to you all, Nick Jacobs medium.com
Nicholas Jacobs
On behalf of my niece Patti A. we are sending serenity, strength and hugs to Ernest and his family.
Jill Slye
I know so many tough and determined people who have overcome similar injuries, one in particular being my grandma who injured her back and was told she would never walk again. She is now able to walk almost 2 miles a day at age 70. Stay positive and I’m wishing the best for you and your family/friends. ❤️
Kayleigh Colleary
Get well soon Ernie!
Fabiano Zanetti
❤️❤️❤️❤️
Olivia Wilborn
❤️❤️❤️
Olivia Jaccoma
God bless.
grace weil
I know in times like this it can feel like an empty wish...but sending love ❤️
Lauren Mabb
Missing you so much Ernie. Hoping for a safe recovery. I love you!!!
Sean O'Neill
Thinking of you all and sending our love. Wishing Ernest much strength, healing and continued recovery. Amy Fastenberg & James Marsh
Amy Fastenberg
Sending good wishes from Lizzie Coyne and family
Brian Coyne
Wishing you lots of strength from the Fernandez Family!
Kristen Fernandez
Thinking of you always Ernie! Your resilience and strength is an inspiration. We love you. Christine, Kevin & Caitlin
Christine & Kevin Budzynski
Sending my love to you all! Ernest, I pray for you every day. Vic & Alex, you are both amazing, strong women who continue to inspire me. xo
Zoe Perry
Hope to see you soon Ernie!
Vicinelli Family
Thinking and praying for you..Stay strong Ernie!!
Arden Costello
We are sending you support, strength and continued prayers during your courageous recovery!
Margaret and Bob Healy
Prayers & thoughts with the Patti Family for their son's recovery. God bless.
Robert Katz
For my great friend, get better soon Ernie.
Charlie O'Connor
We are counting the days until you are back home in New York; your crew misses you more than you will ever know! Love and prayers to Ernie, the Fiore, and the Patti family- you are all inspiring, amazing people! Health and Faith in the New Year, Tom, Eileen, Trevor, and Brett Turnbull
Brett Turnbull
Love and prayers to Ernie and his family. Love, The DiChiara Family
Sandra DiChiara
Ernie, We are praying for your recovery. Get well soon. Robert Gunduz and family
Fernanda Mazzariol
Much love and prayers to Ernie and family! Xoxo
Kim, Pat & Jack Breen
Sending love always. Praying for a healthy recovery in this new year!
Brianna Gorczynski
Saying healing prayers for Ernie's full recovery, and love and support to the Fiore and Patti families.
Karen Fraser
You will beat this, Ernie! Sending lots of love and support to you and your family. XO Denise, Finbar, Taylor and Shane Regan
Denise Regan
Sending your family so much love and positivity especially around these holidays ❤️ You’ll all come out stronger than ever together!!
Olivia Tarabocchia
Dear Fiore and Patti Families, Friends are the family you choose and you have been family from the beginning. You are always in our thoughts and prayers and we look forward to seeing the 3 Amigos back together again. Ernest has been such an inspiration, and we love you all! The Olson Family Patrick, Mary Elizabeth, Emily, Thomas and Ava
Patrick and Mary Elizabeth Olson
Praying for your full recovery and to all the Patti and Fiore families, Keep the Faith! Love Joann & Joyce
JOANN RICCARDI
Wishing you a speedy recovery, and a better year for 2021 for all of us!!
William Hoffman
Thoughts and Prayers for Ernie's complete recovery and the strength of his family
Gail & Frank Julie
Good luck to Ernest--Rich McKay
richard McKay
Keeping Earnest in our prayers for recovery.
Dick & Marge Fopeano
Ernie, Although we haven’t met I’m pulling for you! Looks like we both grew up in Larchmont and attended Fordham Prep and The University of Miami. Keep Fighting!
Tim Williamson
Dear Patti Family - Sending good energy your way for steady progress for Ernest. -From the Schmitt Family
Emilie and Dominic Schmitt
Wishing you all the best. The Webbs
William Webb
God bless you, Ernest!
Deacon Shea
Ernie We are thinking of you. Miles Smith
Miles Smith
We are sending you love, hope and support. Keep the fighting spirit going. With Love Amy, Alan, Jacob and Josh Rosen
Amy and Alan Rosen
Prayers for a Health and Peace in 2021.
Sal (Tory) Ruggiero
With love from the Arnouk Salazar family & the yoga community that showed up for you this morning. Cheering for you!
Claudia Salazar
Can't blame you for staying in Miami. All seriousness though, we're all rooting for you back home. You'll come out of this stronger than ever - after all, if you can make it through rowing a double with me, nothing's impossible. - Duncan
Anonymous
Sending all our support and love!! The Bokert Family
Susanne Bokert
Sending our love and prayers ❤️
Justine Gaeta
Praying for a speedy recovery!
Kristen Rada
Let’s go!
George Brown
Wishing you a speedy recovery and a blessed New Year!
Josh and Eyenadis Schwarzbaum
Victoria, your relationship with your brother shines so so bright. He and your whole family are in my thoughts
Emily Millar
wishing you a speedy recovery
Anonymous
We're rooting for you Ernest and the Patti Family. The Campili Family
Carol Campili
Thanks to Heather Segal for helping us to help you.
Lisa Bennis
We are thinking about all of you and sending you our prayers and positive energy. Jane Rob Will and Teddy Symington
jane symington
Thanks to Heather Segal for pointing out this opportunity to help.
Steven Fasman
Ernest, We have been following your journey since the start through your Aunt Pam and Uncle Mike. We are so incredibly IMPRESSED by you and your progress, drive and amazing positive focus. Every week we look forward to getting updates and listening to the stories that your aunt and uncle share with us regarding you. Continue your hard work. You are an inspirational person. Sending you lots of love and good wishes. Sandi and Dan Koblin and Family
Sandi Koblin
Thanks, Heather Segal, for sharing the opportunity to help out. Sending lots of good energy to you, Ernest and family.
Kristin Patrick
Sending Ernie and the whole family love, prayers and strength! Our hearts and prayers are with you. - the Brause family
Cheryl Brause
Keeping your family in my thoughts and wishing Ernest a full recovery.
Suzanne Golden
Thinking of your family during these holidays.
Heidi Elsayad
Ernest, we are sending you so much love, strength and prayers for your recovery. We know how strong and determined you are. Stay focused and hopeful, and remember that your army is with you. We love you all. Lauren, James & Jack
Lauren Sallata
You are surrounded by love and prayers from around the world. Please know that, and keep up your amazing work!
Jennifer de Laurentiis
All our love and best wishes to Ernest and the whole family! xoxo
Pamela Kernie
Sending prayers and strength to you and your family for a full recovery!
Erica Dresner
Ernie, You are in our thoughts and prayers. Keep fighting! The Ulrich Family
Kate and Dan Ulrich
Thinking of your family and praying for a complete recovery.
Erica Spector
Sending prayers and hope for Ernest’s recovery.
Karen Simon
Make checks payable to:
Help Hope Live
Note in memo:
In honor of Ernest N. Patti
Mail to:
Help Hope Live
2 Radnor Corporate Center
Suite 100
100 Matsonford Road
Radnor, PA 19087
Subscribe to this campaign to receive updates.
MobilityWorks
Accessibility for all: Helping people connect with who and what matters most
Vantage Mobility International
Building leading-edge mobility products
AMS Vans
One of the largest mobility dealers in the U.S.
Angel MedFlight
Advanced medical care and air transportation when you need it the most
Walgreens Specialty Pharmacy
Consult with specially-trained pharmacists, get your medications for pickup or delivery and more
KYW Newsradio 1060
All news, and all that matters to you
Prelude Solutions
Your first step to optimized communications
Abilities Virtual Experience
The event for the disability community