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The Fiore-Patti Family needs our help.

Ernest Patti, like a lot of kids, was excited to start college. His parents Susan Fiore and Dr. Ernest Patti, Sr., moved him from New York to the University of Miami and Ernie began Freshman orientation and classes. About a week into the school year, Ernie had a terrible accident.

Updates (3)

July 26, 2023

We're back with an extremely overdue Ernie Patti update!

We know we've been gone for a while - thanks for sticking with us!

Greetings Team Ernie,

I hope everyone is enjoying this summer and finding ways to beat the heat and stay cool!

I know it has been a while since you have officially heard from us. Apologies for the gap, but we have been busy with work, school, flying back and forth from NY to Miami and of course, Ernest’s care. I am happy to report to those who do not know that Ernest continues his studies at the University of Miami and is enrolled for 12 credits this fall ’23. He spends most of his time on campus at the Lakeside Villages where he has an accessible room. Ernest has transferred from the School of Education and Human Development to the School of Communications and has made remarkable progress. This past spring semester saw him complete two mini film projects. I suspect that they are only the beginning. You can catch him most Fridays DJing on the UM radio station, WVUM. Here is the link, just in case you want to tune in and listen live: www.wvum.org

Ernest returned home to Larchmont for the first time since his injury, last summer in 2022. He has been able to repeat his visits home over winter break for Christmas and now this summer as well. Christmas 2022 was the first time the Fiore-Pattis were able to celebrate Christmas together, since 2019. The house in Larchmont is not fully accessible, but the family has been able to make it work with some makeshift fixes. It is great to have him home for both his parents and siblings, along with extended family and friends. While up in NY, Ernest has enjoyed a few trips to NYC with his buddies, a few poker games, some Yankees’ games and the requisite dinners at Larchmont Tavern and Lusardi’s. We are so happy to have him home. The loyal followers of this infrequent newsletter know that Ernest has been wanting a dog, so we are SO pleased to announce that Felix, Ernest’s new pup from Christmas, has learned to enjoy the best of both Florida and Larchmont! You might be able to catch him strolling on the brook while he is escaping the Florida heat. Stop and see if he will offer you his paw.

Ernest continues to work extremely hard at physical therapy. The average week sees him in therapy sessions four days out of the week. He continues seeing his long-time PT Alex at Miami PT. Alex does not let him slack off, even a little bit. Last year, Ernest also started sessions with Barwiss Physical Therapy. While not a traditional spinal cord therapy site, the Barwiss team has focused on strength and different therapy methods, while also supplementing the traditional routines. The combination of the two sites has proved successful and the results can be seen in his transfers, his upper body strength and slight gains in his finger mobility. We have tried to incorporate the Barwiss slogan “No Bad Days” into our daily living.

Find out more about Barwis here: www.barwisphysicaltherapy.com

Along with his parents, Warren and Kassandra continue to provide incredible care to Ernest. They have become a part of the Fiore-Patti family whether they want to or not! Ernest is working so very hard to gain his independence. It has been a little slower than he would like. Nonetheless, he is not deterred and pushes the boundaries quite a bit. You might have seen his friends carrying him in his wheelchair through Grand Central Terminal, though that is a different story. The cost of his continued care is daunting, but we are determined to provide him with the focused, intensive and attentive care he deserves.

To accomplish our goal of providing Ernest with the best care, we are again engaging our communities and asking for support. The overwhelming demands on the family’s finances and time are simply monumental. The current fund’s reserves are dwindling and the continued costs are mounting. So, in an effort for anyone and everyone who wants to engage with Ernest, and see first hand the progress the fund has supported, we have set up a live event to gather our support network. We are hosting a bowling event while he is home, and Ernest will be out on the lanes! Please come out on Sunday, August 13th from 1-4 at Bowlero in White Plains and join the team for a few frames. We know it is not Thanksgiving, but let's try for a turkey!! Registration information can be found HERE (events.helphopelive.org and, of course, donations may always be made directly to the TEAM ERNIE site at Help Hope Live on this very page.

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We are so very grateful for the support of EVERYONE reading this letter. This journey could not be made without you and your generosity is appreciated more than you could ever know. Please join us in celebration of Ernest’s trip home. As they say, try it, you might strike it!!

In appreciation,

The Fiore-Pattis

PS: follow us on Instagram @TeamErnie2021! www.instagram.com

March 28, 2021

Hi everyone,

We have OFFICIALLY hit the halfway point of our fundraising goal!! This milestone is an incredible achievement, one that mirrors the incredible progress Ernest is making in physical therapy. We want to thank every single one of you for your extremely generous contributions and incredible support – all of your messages and words of encouragement have helped Ernest and his family navigate this new journey. It has been just over seven months since Ernest’s accident, and he has since made significant gains in motion. He keeps working hard at therapy every day and plans on making even more progress in the coming weeks and months.

While we have so far raised an incredible amount of money for his treatment and care, we are only halfway to our goal – please share this page and Ernest’s story with family and friends so that we can reach our total goal. Stay tuned for further (more regular) updates and exciting fundraising events! And if you would like to receive emails about Ernest's progress, please join our Mailchimp listerv by clicking here: eepurl.com

Again – THANK YOU ALL!

Most sincerely and gratefully,

Team Ernie

Photo Galleries (3)

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Guestbook

December 28, 2023

Honored to contribute to help Team Ernie reach its goal!!
Wishing love and much success to Ernest, Susan, Ernie and the family!

Eric and Donna McGovern

Eric & Donna McGovern

December 2, 2023

Sending love and warmest wishes to Ernest and the Fiore/Patti Family.xoxo The Weinribs

Nancy Weinrib

November 29, 2023

Dear Susan, Dr. Ernest, Alex, Victoria and Ernest.
Thank you so much for the update. Ernest's perseverance and strength is a testament to the love and support he receives from his family, friends and community. We wish you and your entire family a wonderful holiday season! hope to see you soon. Carol & Darren

Carol Campili