Turning Setbacks into Strength
If surgery was physically demanding, rehabilitation tested Anthony in a different way.
To get back to playing sports, he spent months rebuilding strength, mobility and confidence during his physical therapy.
“There was nothing I wanted more than to get back on the field and be there for my teammates,” he said.
Throughout the process, physical therapists Angie Blaikie, PT, and Mark Quan-Tong, PT, DPT, became important parts of his recovery. Anthony credits them with helping him channel frustration into progress and pushing him to continue moving forward, even on difficult days.
“My relationship with them is something I don’t think I’ll be able to recreate with anyone else,” he said. “Angie takes your emotion and makes it into fuel, and Mark took no days off and really pushed me.”
Since Anthony’s first surgery was followed by another major procedure for his second injury just two weeks later, it required him to restart portions of his recovery journey.
The rehabilitation process lasted more than a year. Yet each milestone – running again, regaining strength, increasing lateral movement and eventually returning to sports – represented another step toward normalcy.
“Through the whole experience, they helped me feel like myself again,” Anthony said.
Looking Ahead
Now a high school senior, Anthony is back on the football field and focused on his future. He hopes to continue playing football at the collegiate level and is exploring opportunities at schools including Stanford, UC Davis, USC and Princeton.
His medical journey has also influenced his academic interests. After seeing firsthand the work that happens behind the scenes in patient care, he has developed an interest in sports medicine, kinesiology and sports psychology.
Outside of athletics, Anthony enjoys studying history and learning about different cultures. He is currently learning Japanese, hopes to learn additional languages and dreams of traveling the world.
John has watched Anthony approach every challenge with determination.
“Anthony is a leader,” John said. “He wants to make the lives of the people around him better.”
Support for the Whole Family
For John, the care Anthony received at Shriners Children’s Northern California extended far beyond surgery and rehabilitation. He remembers a team that welcomed questions, communicated clearly and supported the entire family through a stressful and uncertain time.
“Every part of the experience was extraordinary and exceptional,” he said. “You can tell Dr. Friel was competent, capable and confident. Her team was trusted because they were professional, but they also felt like family.”
When an unexpected issue later appeared in Anthony’s other knee, the family never questioned where to turn.
Just as meaningful was the fact that Anthony’s care came without financial burden to the family. The surgeries, follow-up appointments and physical therapy services allowed the family to focus entirely on recovery rather than cost.
“I’m sure his surgeries would be hundreds of thousands of dollars,” said John. “Not including all the follow-up and physical therapy that was covered as well. Not only was it covered, but it was also the best care we could possibly find.”
Today, as Anthony pursues his goals on the field, in the classroom and beyond, John remains grateful for the role Shriners Children’s played in helping his son move forward. “If you’re considering making a donation, what you’re doing is making a child’s dreams come true. You are literally giving them their life back,” he said.
And for Anthony, the experience has left him with a renewed appreciation for the people who helped him through one of the most difficult chapters of his life.
“Shriners Children’s has done nothing but incredible things for me,” he said.
