Young Adult with Autism Throws First Pitch at Mets Game Thanks to EmblemHealth
January 20, 2012
Anthony Giangiobbe, 20, an avid New York Mets fan with autism and one of the original six children who attended AHRC’s early intervention programs when he was a young child, threw out the first pitch at a Mets-Marlins game on August 31st at Citi Field thanks to EmblemHealth, which provides health care coverage through its companies Group Health Incorporated (GHI) and HIP Health Plan of New York (HIP).
Mr. Giangiobbe, who lives with his family in Middle Village, NY, was accompanied by his parents Rose and Daniel Giangiobbe, his sister Sara Giangiobbe, Christina Muccioli, Director of AHRC NYC’s Educational Services, and James Mara, Principal of AHRC Middle/High School in Brooklyn.
“Everyone loves Anthony,” says Christina, adding that Anthony’s heartwarming story was featured in a 2010 AHRC fundraising appeal. “Anthony was one of the original preschoolers at AHRC and has been with us since the age of three. Over the years he’s grown and thrived alongside his peers, and has become a real inspiration for families with autistic children.”
“Anthony was beyond thrilled when he found out he’d be throwing the first pitch at a Mets game,” says his mother, Rose, adding that Anthony’s favorite Mets players are Pitcher Jason Bay, Infielder, David Wright, and Outfielder, Jason Isringhausen. “He wanted to tell everyone and got ready by practicing throwing pitches with his Dad.”
According to Ms. Giangiobbe, Anthony has many interests. In addition to baseball, Anthony loves football, NASCAR, golf, cooking shows, singing, and all kinds of music, ranging from The Beatles to Frank Sinatra. Anthony recently saw Paul McCartney at Citi Field, and is the go-to guy when the family needs the name of any artist on the radio.
Ms. Giangiobbe says things were very different when Anthony was first diagnosed with autism. “At the age of three, Anthony was severely autistic and very impaired,” says Rose. “He didn’t sleep, wouldn’t leave the house, had no eye contact, and did not speak. It was very difficult, and we never could have imagined that we would feel so blessed today by how far he’s come. Thanks to the program at AHRC, we saw a miracle unfold. He’s become a totally different person with many interests, enthusiasms and a sense of humor.”
This summer, Mr. Giangiobbe sang at Anthony’s graduation from AHRC Middle/High School. There, he participated in numerous internships and volunteer programs, including helping at a senior center, where Anthony prepared and distributed food trays. Anthony has also volunteered at Maimonides Medical Center; Meals on Wheels; and at an after school program through Life’s WORC, where he volunteered at a local pharmacy.
This fall, Anthony entered AHRC’s Day Hab Without Walls program in Queens, in which participating individuals volunteer in their local communities. Through a process known as person-centered planning, Anthony is seen as the truly unique person he is, and as a consequence his hopes and dreams, and those of his family are taken into account to create a productive, personal life plan.
“Anthony is like Forest Gump,” says his father Daniel. “He’s always in the right place at the right time. Wonderful things always happen to him. He had a rough start but now there’s a light at the end of the tunnel, and I feel privileged to have him as my son.”
This is the 11th consecutive year that EmblemHealth has passed along the honor of throwing the first pitch at a Mets game to a deserving New Yorker. It is part of the company’s ongoing commitment to encourage health and fitness, and to give back to the communities it serves.
“Anthony Giangiobbe is living proof that it’s possible to thrive and contribute when facing a difficult challenge,” says Frank Branchini, President and COO of EmblemHealth. “He is an inspiration and a role model, and we are delighted to make this Mets fan’s dream come true.”
