Anthony Joseph Storti

Family and friends of Anthony Storti are raising money for the nonprofit Help Hope Live to fund uninsured medical expenses associated with a Catastrophic Illness. Anthony has chosen to fundraise with Help Hope Live in part because donations are tax deductible for contributors and will only be used to cover medical and related expenses.

As most of you know, Anthony has had orthopedic issues and surgeries since he was 3 years old. He has had C1-C2 fusions twice, once at age 3 (CHOP) and then age 10 (at Dupont). At age 12, Anthony had plates put in his hips (bilateral osteotomies) due to him not being able to walk long distances without pain and weakness. Post Surgery he was in a hip-spica cast for months. This was followed by inpatient PT at Dupont to get Anthony walking again. Anthony had so much determination to walk so that we could take him to Disneyworld. For the next few years Anthony did really well. He loves sports and participates in the Ambucs Special Olympics. Anthony particularly loved playing basketball. Anthony’s dad, who passed away 7 years ago, was a PIAA referee and Anthony just wanted to be like dad with his love of basketball. Unfortunately, one Sunday about 6 years ago, Anthony fell onto the gym floor and hurt his right knee. We have seen 5 different orthopedic doctors, but no one can surgically repair his right knee. Anthony wears a Knee Brace daily for his right knee instability (Patellar Instability). Anthony has managed with his brace and a walker, and PT for strengthening of the right knee. Anthony continues to bowl with the help of his teammates helping him with carrying the bowling ball. Last February, Anthony was complaining of weakness in his arms and pain in his back. His doctor did x-rays and an MRI but it wasn’t until Anthony started getting severe pain in his left arm that we needed another MRI of the upper back, and there it was. Anthony is a strong person and endures pain like no other. So, to see him crying in pain was heartbreaking. He had nerve compression that required surgery ASAP. Neurosurgery did the surgery from C-2 to T-3 to release the pressure on the compressed nerves. Anthony was in Jefferson Hosp for over a week and then to in-patient PT and OT. This recuperation involved not only walking again but also to strengthen his upper body. The doctor wasn’t sure if the pain would go away in that left arm, but by the grace of God it did. Anthony is finished PT/OT, but he does go to a gym to keep up with the strengthening of his muscles (“Fighting Back” in Malvern). So, with all his medical history, Anthony continues to want to “enjoy life to the fullest” and whatever activities he can manage. Anthony ALWAYS gives it his ALL. He is such an inspiration to anyone who meets him. So, at this point, I am 72 years old and have been pushing him in wheelchairs and helping him with walkers for years. I hurt my hip a few months ago and am going to PT myself trying not to need a hip replacement. The physical part of Anthony’s transportation to activities is on me. I rented a wheelchair minivan to take him to the Tim Tebow Night to Shine in King of Prussia and this was such a help for Anthony and me. My wish for Anthony, is to continue to be able to give him “the life he enjoys” and by being able to continue transporting him places. Anthony lives at Melmark, and Melmark transports him to his work but on the weekends, he is with me at my house and I transport him to his weekend activities. Activities (like the gym) and doctor appointments during the week, I usually take him also. I saw a handicap minivan at Mobility Works on Trooper Rd that would be perfect for Anthony. I put $1,000 down to hold the van. I am hoping and praying that if anyone is looking to donate help to a cause, I would hope you might consider “Anthony’s Minivan”.

Thank You for any help you might be able to contribute.

Rosemary Storti (Rose)