Anthony Luciano, a Green Beret, Purple Heart and Bronze Star recipient, is on a long journey to recovery after a tragic accident left him paralyzed from the neck down last year. 

• According to his wife, Emily, Anthony has already made significant progress, but there are still challenges ahead as the family seeks support for uninsured therapies that could further aid his recovery.

Anthony’s accident occurred in April 2022, while he was assisting a friend with tree removal on their property. As Emily recounts, the trunk of the last tree twisted unexpectedly and fell on Anthony as he attempted to escape to safety. The accident caused a spinal cord compression and impingement at C3-C6, a burst fracture at T9, two brain contusions, several broken ribs, a pneumothorax, and a shattered femoral head.

Following multiple surgeries and months of recovery, Anthony, also known as “Lucky,” is now back home with his wife and their three young sons, the youngest of whom was born during his rehabilitation. With a combination of faith, determination, and hard work, Anthony has exceeded doctors’ expectations and regained movement in all four limbs. He can even take steps with assistance, though he still relies on help from others for most tasks due to limited hand and arm function.

Looking forward, the family is hopeful about new treatment opportunities that could become available this summer. These alternative therapies, which are not covered by insurance, could potentially help Anthony regain his independence and dignity. 

• One such treatment that has already shown promising results is his ongoing therapy with spinal cord injury rehab specialist and physiotherapist Daniel West. 

West, known for his unconventional but successful methods, has gained social media fame for helping his patients walk again after spinal cord injuries. Unfortunately, these sessions with West are also not covered by insurance, but the family believes the potential benefits are worth the expense.

Emily shares her optimism and gratitude for the support they have received so far. She mentions several upcoming treatments that could be game-changers for Anthony’s recovery, attributing their progress to the prayers and encouragement from their community. 

• She envisions a future where Anthony can once again enjoy the simple things in life, like wrestling with their children and carrying them across the yard.

To help cover the costs of these uninsured therapies, Anthony’s sister, Samantha Vail, has created a GoFundMe page with a goal of raising $75,000. She emphasizes that 100% of the proceeds will go directly towards Anthony’s uninsured treatments, and any excess funds will be donated to military nonprofits that have supported the family throughout the past year. 

• Both Anthony and Emily are grateful for any and all support, recognizing the significant impact it will have on Anthony’s recovery and their family’s future.

Samantha’s appeal for help highlights the sacrifices Anthony has made for his countryduring his 17-year military career, which includes five combat deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan, totaling over 30 months, as well as multiple deployments to South and Central America. By sharing their story, the family hopes to rally the local community around Anthony, acknowledging the role that collective support can play in his ongoing journey towards healing and independence.

The road ahead may be long and challenging, but with the help of groundbreaking therapies and unwavering support, Anthony and his family remain hopeful that they can reclaim the simple joys they once had. 

To help the Luciano family on their road to recovery, you can donate directly to their GoFundMe page by clicking here.