BOSTON — Anthony Monaco and Ben Bates have a lot in common.
Mostly it’s their shared passion for working out that unites them. Anthony has worked out his entire life even though he lives daily dealing with a rare, genetic, and usually fatal disorder called Freedrichs Ataxia.
“Freedrichs Ataxia is a rare, progressive, neurological disease that affects muscle coordination and balance and since it’s progressive it will get worse forever”, says Anthony.
You would think training someone like Anthony would be a huge challenge. But according to his trainer Ben Bates, “Honestly it wasn’t a challenge at all. He just jumps right in and gets right to it. He always comes to the gym with a positive attitude. Our personalities clicked right from the start”, says Ben.
A big part of the friendship that Anthony and Ben have developed is the gym where they work out. It’s called Fit to Function and it’s in Roslindale. Fit to Function is an adaptive and inclusive gym that caters to folks with disabilities, especially those with Brain Injuries.
“Five years ago, I started bringing stroke and brain injury survivors to the gym and started seeing success and expanded to all kinds of brain injuries”, says Fit To Function owner Jenna Muri-Rosenthal. “Our goal is to help them get more functional and help them get better at what’s out there in the world”
Anthony’s goals are endless.
He wants others who live with his disease to be able to work out and feel better like he does.
“I don’t try to inspire people. I just do things that will better my situation and if someone sees that and sees how much I’m trying, then maybe that in itself will inspire them”, says Anthony.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.
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