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Athletically gifted and with boundless energy, the third-grader at K.T. Murphy School runs, jumps, skates, swings and rides in nearly all of his spare moments. That includes his participation in Saturday’s children’s race at the Navigators Stamford KIC It Triathlon.
Anthony's whirlwind of activity, however, is part choice and part necessity. Jessica, his mother, needs to keep her boy engaged in activity because of medical issues. Anthony was diagnosed several years ago with Tourette syndrome and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder.
Her solution? Keep Anthony moving, playing, running, kicking, riding, skating, whatever. His favorite sport is ice hockey. Tennis, baseball and street hockey are some of his other favorite activities.
“Physical activity helps keep him in balance,’’ Bonanno said. “When there are snow days, and he can’t get outside, his tics worsen. The physical component is so important. It’s a good outlet for him. When he gets home from school, the first thing he does is go outside.”
She does not allow her son to play video games, watch violent movies or get addicted to the technology that has engulfed so many young children. She also makes careful diet choices that help her son. She knows he’s been dealt a hard hand. She helps him play it the best he can.
“When he was first diagnosed, I was upset,’’ said Bonanno, a former star athlete in volleyball, softball and track and field at Trinity Catholic. She was the 1998 winner of the Allyson Rioux award, a prestigious honor named after a former athlete that salutes sportsmanship, leadership, character and athletic achievement.
“You always want to help your child. A lot of these things are not necessarily things I can help with. I try to do my part to encourage physical activity. But at the end of the day, I can’t make the tics go away, and we have to accept it and do the best we can.”
Kristen Maida, the mother of Anthony’s friend Joseph, told her about the triathlon and its charity, Kids In Crisis of Cos Cob. She asked her son about trying it. Saturday’s race will be Anthony’s first triathlon.
“I wasn’t aware at first it was for Kids In Crisis,’’ Bonanno said. “When I found out, I thought it was an important cause to support.” She has raised more than $300 for KIC. Readers can make a donation through her online fundraising page.
The children’s triathlon starts at 7:30 a.m. Saturday at Cove Beach in Stamford. There are three age groups: 6-7, 8-10 and 11-13. Click here for online registration.
Jessica does not have grand expectations for her son in Saturday’s race. Anthony is competitive, and he’ll undoubtedly try to beat his friend. His story, however, is about fighting, accepting and dealing. Regardless of where he finishes in the race, his mother knows she’s helping him become a winner for life.
“I just want him to go have fun and have a good time,’’ Jessica said. “If you’re not having fun, it’s not worth it. I want him to have a good time, and feel good that we’re supporting a good cause.”
Click here to learn more about the weekend lineup for the KIC It Triathlon.
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