Theresa Thomas and her momIt’s not Cinderella but it is a real life feel good story with some really good people and a happy ending. Theresa Thomas, a former Smithtown resident, has seen her share of good times and some pretty sad times. Theresa became severely disabled seven years ago at the age of 39 by a genetic condition. As her condition worsened she was unable to work (Theresa is a nurse) or leave her home. Eventually she became homeless and lived in shelters for several years. It was nearly impossible to provide the basic food, shelter and education for her children. Adding to her angst was her mom, 70, (pictured in photo) who uses a wheelchair as a result of a brain injury and two strokes.
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Rocco standing by his mom’s new van loaded with holiday goodies and giftsLife was really hard for this family until some Christmas angels entered their life. The angels’ names are Allyson Scerri, John Bussani, Daniel Bussani and Nina Quartuccio.
Ms. Scerri is the founder and president of New Beginnings a not-for-profit organization dedicated to helping families cope with Traumatic Brain Injury (TMI). Ms. Scerri introduced Ms. Thomas to the Bussani Mobility Team in Smithtown. The Busanni’s, John Bussani (Founder and President), Daniel Bussani (Vice President) and Nina Quartuccio ( General Manager) determined that Ms. Thomas would be the second recipient of the company’s Peter Zarba Memorial Van Donation Program.
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John and Daniel BussaniThe Bussani Team set out to find a vehicle that would fit Theresa’s needs. They located a low mileage Chrysler Town & Country van and refurbished it making it wheelchair accessible. On Monday, December 30 this single, disabled mom of three received a life-changing holiday miracle gift when she was presented with the wheelchair accessible van, Theresa will be mobile again. She will regain her independence and be able to take care of her family in the way they were accustomed to before her physical disability set in.
Overjoyed at the presentation ceremony, Theresa Thomas said: “They didn’t give us a van. They gave us life…This beautiful gift allows us the ability to have a productive future. I can return to work, continue school, and begin to provide for my family again. All these things would never have been possible without your grace. We will live in a perpetual state of ‘pay it forward.’ You are Christmas angels to us and we thank you kindly for this immense Christmas blessing!”
Theresa, is working to finish her Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology so she can become a social worker and live a life of service to others. She eventually wants to open a not-for-profit in Suffolk County connecting the disabled, mentally ill, homeless, and veterans to the many resources Long Island has to offer.
“There’s no end to what this remarkable woman will do to help her family and the disabled community here on Long Island now that she has her own wheelchair accessible vehicle to get around,” said Daniel Bussani, Vice President at Bussani Mobility Team. “She has big dreams. With her perseverance, strength and compassion, we have no doubt that she’ll reach every one of them and she’ll touch many lives for the good.”
The van was donated by a Bussani Mobility Team customer and refurbished by the company. Two other local automotive companies contributed to the effort: Third Generation Auto Body (donated the body work) and Don’s Hand Car Wash (donated the detail work).
Bussani Mobility Team (www.bussanimobility.com and www.bussanicommercial.com) is a leading provider of automotive mobility products and services for people with disabilities. The company helps people with disabilities regain the freedom and independence to go where they want to go and do what they want to do. Established in 1974 with headquarters in Bethpage, NY (Nassau County) and with offices in Smithtown (Suffolk County), Mamaroneck (Westchester County) and Sunnyside (Queens), Bussani Mobility Team is a market leader in the Tri-State (NY, NJ, CT) area. The company’s team of experts offers: a complete line of wheelchair vans and mobility equipment from top manufacturers available for purchase or rental, wheelchair accessible taxis, a full-service automotive shop, 24-hour emergency service, special financing options, insurance services, educational opportunities, and in-store consultants who are dedicated to meeting their customers’ every need with a highly personal touch.
New Beginnings (www.nbli.org), a not-for-profit 501©3, was founded by Allyson Barone Scerri after her father suffered a traumatic brain injury in 2007. Allyson quickly realized that as a caregiver in a family hit by TBI, there was a serious lack of coordinated services and her vision was to have them all connected under one roof. In April of 2010 Allyson opened the doors to a state of the art, never before seen facility for TBI rehab where all necessary modalities of treatment including Hyperbaric Oxygen are found under that one roof. Her facility is praised by medical professionals who are world renowned experts in the TBI field. She has geared the facility to be a Community Center that reaches out to TBI victims as well as victims of all other cognitive & physically disabling conditions and their caregiving families.