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An Inspiration to Everyone He Meets
Multiple sclerosis is a hard thing for anyone to deal with — especially a child.
But this Shrewsbury teenager has chosen to emphasize the positive and stay focused on his goals.
This past spring, when 13-year-old Tony Fabbri of Shrewsbury felt weakness in his legs and numbness in his face, his family was concerned. Diagnosed at an early age with a neurologic condition, Tony had clearly overcome obstacles in order to thrive in school and in the community. In fact, he’s a particularly high achiever with a lot to be proud of: honor roll student, member of the student council, and winner of the Christian Character Award for his school.
But this experience was different —
Tony eventually lost feeling in his
legs and couldn’t walk. His mother,
Lucy, and his aunt Mary took him
to K. Hovnanian Children’s Hospital
at Jersey Shore University Medical
Center, where he was admitted by
pediatric neurologist Richard Sultan,
D.O. Tony was diagnosed with earlystage
multiple sclerosis.
A Trying Condition
Although multiple sclerosis is more
often seen in adults, this challenging
disease can manifest in children as
well. As Dr. Sultan clarifies, "Multiple
sclerosis is an autoimmune disorder,
where the body produces antibodies
that attack the nervous system. It must
be constantly managed, and acute
periods really impact motion and
cognitive functions."
Tony was understandably confused.
He wanted to know what was
happening; but most of all, he just
wanted to walk out of the hospital.
"I didn’t know what was going on,"
he says. "The doctors and nurses
were very nice. They asked us a lot
of questions and told me they would
get me home."
Indeed, Tony was recovering
remarkably well. While he was still
in the hospital, he regained the ability
to walk, and he even got into trouble
for playing soccer in the hallway
instead of resting in his room. When
he was discharged, though, it was
with the understanding that his condition
would require careful monitoring and
physical rehabilitation.
Multiple Hospitalizations
Just a few months later, Tony was readmitted
to the Children’s Hospital,
where additional tests and consultations
with leading MS experts informed the
next steps. To supplement the steroid
therapy that had slowed Tony’s immune
system deficiencies, he was treated with chemotherapy to suppress the
immune system and with plasmapheresis
to destroy the antibodies that were
damaging his nervous system.
Again, Tony was able to walk out
of the hospital on his own, this time
with a PICC line inserted by boardcertified
critical care pediatrician
Samuel Thomas, M.D., which would
allow his family to administer
medications at home and thereby
reduce his time in the hospital.
Nevertheless, Tony has been in
and out of the hospital several times
since last April for treatment. To his
immense credit, he remains steadfast
in his determination to go back to school, to resume working in his
family’s pizza shop, and to return
to the athletic activities he enjoys.
In essence, he continues to be
an ordinary teenager; yet this
teen’s affability, the genuineness
of his laughter, and the maturity
that belies his years inspire
everyone around him.
One of the Family
With the Fabbris spending so much
time at the Children’s Hospital,
Lucy says, "The nurses have become
like family. They go the extra mile
and have been amazing to Tony.
Dr. Sultan is a real expert, and he
is a true professional. He explains
our options well and just wants
the best for us. It is obvious how
much he cares about Tony."
"We know Tony has a tough road
ahead," adds Mary. "But no one has
it easy, and he knows he is lucky
to have many gifts. His cousin
Anthony reminds him of this and
is a constant source of strength at
his side. Tony will get through this,
and the people at Jersey Shore
have just been so encouraging and
so right on top of things. These are
people that care so much about
who they are treating, and there
is no doubt that they are doing
everything possible to help."
Dr. Sultan speaks for his whole
team when he assures that the
feeling is mutual: "Tony’s got a lot
of friends here. Multiple sclerosis
is a complex condition that has
to be managed constantly. But Tony
is determined, and he’s fighting
a tough situation. And we are in
his corner, fighting for him too."
 – Ryan Younger
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