46 www. ReadMPM. com | www.MountPl easantMagaz i ne. com | www. ShemCreekRes taurant s . com My heart softened, and my eyes filled with tears as I read the note that was mailed to me showing support for my family and son Anthony. Anthony had recently experienced a traumatic brain injury, or TBI, while riding his bicycle in San Francisco. Born and raised in Mount Pleasant, Anthony’s hometown immediately embraced and supported him, and continue to do so throughout his journey. The note mailed to me was in an unassuming, plain ivory envelope. I opened it, and read the kind words, “We are sorry to hear about your son. Our family is praying for your family.” It’s been 11 years since town administrator Eric DeMoura sent his handwritten note, which was a complete surprise to me. Our family has experienced these kinds of expressions of kindness from caring Mount Pleasant residents since Anthony’s journey started on February 1, 2013 with a dreadful phone call no parent ever wants to get. A policeman from California called asking if I was Anthony Macchio’s father. After telling him I was, he informed me that Anthony was in an ambulance on his way to the hospital at Stanford. After arriving, my wife and I were told by Dr. O’dette Harris — a neurosurgeon who was part of Obama’s medical team that treated soldiers returning from the Afghanistan war — would be operating on our son. Our adrenaline was pumping. We were placing phone calls, booking flights and trying to keep focused while knowing that our son was under a scalpel. We had no idea what was ahead of us. That kind of journey we were embarking upon was one the required a strong and close family. It would also soon include the need to be surrounded by a giving community. What I didn’t know was the heart and strength I was about to be encompassed by from my fellow Mount Pleasant residents. The community efforts to provide our family with support and comfort throughout our unwanted journey was overwhelming. Many were complete strangers, including members of local churches. They completely refitted our home, making the doorway wider and the flooring more conducive for Anthony’s wheelchair. They jackhammered away at our bathroom floor, building a shower that allowed us to roll Anthony inside. Members of our community from many walks of life came together in every aspect imaginable, to make it easier for Anthony after his life-changing injury. Many of the local businesses who have used the pages of this magazine to grow their companies stepped forward with items for auction at various fundraisers. It was truly amazing to feel the love and support surround our family from literal thousands of Mount Pleasant residents. Some of our community’s strength comes from our strong police department that not only keeps our town’s crime rate well below the national average, but is deeply involved with community services. I saw this firsthand after Mount Pleasant Walked Beside Us My Family’s JourneyThroughTraumatic Brain Injury BY B I L L MACCH I O PUBL I SHER OF MOUNT P L EASANT MAGAZ I NE feature Anthony Macchio fights for life after a traumatic brain injury.
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