Business

The story of Tiziano Motti: From Outsider to Member of Parliament

Published

5 years ago

September 1, 2019

In our current social climate, it would seem that only the well-connected secure power in politics. It takes significant resources of time and money to manage a campaign, and getting voted into office is no guarantee. This can make it hard for citizens of any country to feel like they have a say in their leadership. Frustrated by the lack of voice for everyday people, citizens often feel disillusioned by the political process convinced that it is a place only for the wealthy and powerful. In Italy, one man sought to change all that and won. Tiziano Motti did not have the most conventional rise to political success.

As a waiter, an entrepreneur, artist, DJ, and musician, Tiziano worked very hard all his life but had what you might say an unexpected background for a politician. Believing this to be an asset for him, Tiziano pursued a place in political leadership in 2009 elections to lend his voice to those who felt they weren’t being heard. His unique background gave him an edge in the elections, and the people quickly embraced him as someone who would serve them well.

Following compulsory school, Tiziano enrolled in a university like most people his age to study Industrial Electronics, but the loss of his father at age 18 made it difficult to continue. At a time when most future politicians are polishing up their resumes and networking through elite schools, Tiziano was forced into the workforce at a young age. Tiziano worked as a waiter during the weekends, produced a record with songs played by others, worked as a DJ in some radio stations, and wrote about music and entertainment on a generalist magazine as well as on some local papers. In 1986 he joined the Army and served in a mobile anti-aircraft artillery unit and finally the Infantry.

Tiziano began to pursue more entrepreneurial activities in the 1990s operating successful advertising and communications companies, including publishing the newspaper “Vivia la Città.” A very successful entrepreneur, Tiziano, looks back on this time with tremendous gratitude. “The fact that I had to abandon a more traditional path and truly get out there in the workforce and society put me directly in touch with the people I serve,” explains Tiziano. “It may have made me an outsider politician, but it made me an insider with the people.” Tiziano is also the producer behind the insightful TV show “Noi Cittadini” which broadcasted to over 7 million viewers on 30 stations.

Inspired by his experience in reaching people and the ability to advocate for change, Tiziano was elected to Parliament in 2009. Not unlike his unique background, Tiziano entered the elections as an Independent with no party ties only days before the close of the elections. On the inside, Tiziano worked hard at protecting citizens cultural rights. He served on seven different assemblies and was a driving force behind the European Rapid Alert System against pedophiles and sexual harassers, launched in 2010. Tiziano Motti, once an outsider has changed the face of European politics through understanding, dedication, and cooperation.

Business

Turning Tragedy into Triumph Through Walking With Anthony

Published

7 hours ago

April 18, 2024

Rosario Farell

On the morning of February 6, 2010, Anthony Purcell took a moment to admire the churning surf before plunging into the waves off Miami Beach. Though he had made the dive numerous times before, that morning was destined to be different when he crashed into a hidden sandbar, sustaining bruises to his C5 and C6 vertebrae and breaking his neck.

“I was completely submerged and unable to rise to the surface,” Purcell recalls. “Fortunately, my cousin Bernie saw what was happening and came to my rescue. He saved my life, but things would never be the same after that dive.”

Like thousands of others who are confronted with a spinal cord injury (SCI), Purcell plunged headlong into long months of hopelessness and despair. Eventually, however, he learned to turn personal tragedy into triumph as he reached out to fellow SCI victims by launching Walking With Anthony.

Living with SCI: the first dark days

Initial rehabilitation for those with SCIs takes an average of three to six months, during which time they must relearn hundreds of fundamental skills and adjust to what feels like an entirely new body. Unfortunately, after 21 days, Purcell’s insurance stopped paying for this essential treatment, even though he had made only minimal improvement in such a short time.

“Insurance companies cover rehab costs for people with back injuries, but not for people with spinal cord injuries,” explains Purcell. “We were practically thrown to the curb. At that time, I was so immobile that I couldn’t even raise my arms to feed myself.”

Instead of giving up, Purcell’s mother chose to battle his SCI with long-term rehab. She enrolled Purcell in Project Walk, a rehabilitation facility located in Carlsbad, California, but one that came with an annual cost of over $100,000.

“My parents paid for rehabilitation treatment for over three years,” says Purcell. “Throughout that time, they taught me the importance of patience, compassion, and unconditional love.”

Yet despite his family’s support, Purcell still struggled. “Those were dark days when I couldn’t bring myself to accept the bleak prognosis ahead of me,” he says. “I faced life in a wheelchair and the never-ending struggle for healthcare access, coverage, and advocacy. I hit my share of low points, and there were times when I seriously contemplated giving up on life altogether.”

Purcell finds a new purpose in helping others with SCIs

After long months of depression and self-doubt, Purcell’s mother determined it was time for her son to find purpose beyond rehabilitation.

“My mom suggested I start Walking With Anthony to show people with spinal cord injuries that they were not alone,” Purcell remarks. “When I began to focus on other people besides myself, I realized that people all around the world with spinal cord injuries were suffering because of restrictions on coverage and healthcare access. The question that plagued me most was, ‘What about the people with spinal cord injuries who cannot afford the cost of rehabilitation?’ I had no idea how they were managing.”

Purcell and his mother knew they wanted to make a difference for other people with SCIs, starting with the creation of grants to help cover essentials like assistive technology and emergency finances. To date, they have helped over 100 SCI patients get back on their feet after suffering a similar life-altering accident.

Purcell demonstrates the power and necessity of rehab for people with SCIs

After targeted rehab, Purcell’s physical and mental health improved drastically. Today, he is able to care for himself, drive his own car, and has even returned to work.

“Thanks to my family’s financial and emotional support, I am making amazing physical improvement,” Purcell comments. “I mustered the strength to rebuild my life and even found the nerve to message Karen, a high school classmate I’d always had a thing for. We reconnected, our friendship evolved into love, and we tied the knot in 2017.”

After all that, Purcell found the drive to push toward one further personal triumph. He married but did not believe a family was in his future. Regardless of his remarkable progress, physicians told him biological children were not an option.

Despite being paralyzed from the chest down, Purcell continued to look for hope. Finally, Dr. Jesse Mills of UCLA Health’s Male Reproductive Medicine department assured Purcell and his wife that the right medical care and in vitro fertilization could make their dream of becoming parents a reality.

“Payton joined our family in the spring of 2023,” Purcell reports. “For so long, I believed my spinal cord injury had taken everything I cared about, but now I am grateful every day. I work to help other people with spinal cord injuries find the same joy and hope. We provide them with access to specialists, funding to pay for innovative treatments, and the desire to move forward with a focus on the future.”