Sunday, February 9, 2025
53.6 F
Roseville

Antonino: You Can’t Be Limited

I enjoyed talking with Steve Antonino of New York City. At 29, he has muscular dystrophy, uses a power wheelchair to get around, and has his head on straight thanks to friends and family.

In a telephone interview, Antonino said, “I was able to walk up until the fifth grade, when I was about 12. I had a very large group of friends while growing up and had parents who were always supportive. As for molding my character, I look to my parents. My mother was my rock.”

Antonino said his disability sometimes brought with it depression, through which his mother always was there to hold him up. When he was in the hospital for all his many surgeries, she had “this way” of calming him down.

He said, “Then when I was going off to college (in 2004), my mother suggested it would be a good idea for me that first year to have a (service) dog. I was studying architecture at New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT). I’ve always found architecture fascinating, especially the history of architecture more so than the actual building of buildings.”

Getting through college wasn’t easy. While attending his close-knit high school in his teen years, he had a relatively large circle of friends and family surrounding him; but at NJIT, he had just himself and a loyal service dog.

After his first dog passed away, he eventually would own a second (named Keir) acquired through Canine Companions for Independence. Keir helps Antonino by opening doors, grabbing objects off the floor, bringing items to him, and helping him deal with cashiers in retail stores. Just recently, Keir was able to pick up a dropped wireless telephone.

He said, “And there’s nothing like having a dog nearby when you’re not feeling well. They know when you’re not doing well and won’t leave you until they know you’re better, which goes for everyone in the household, including my mother.”

Today, he lives with her while seeking employment. With his limited physical abilities and power wheelchair, he said getting out “into the world” has been problematic at times. He has been seeking an employer who will allow him to work from home. Several years after earning a master’s degree in infrastructure planning, he’s still searching for work.

Even so, he said, “You can’t be limited by the circumstances you’ve been doled out.”



Brighter Side

Trending

LA-Z-Boy Home Furnishings & Décor in Roseville

Transform your living room and bedroom with La-Z-Boy's comfortable home furniture. Shop for sofas, couches, recliners, chairs, tables, mattress in a box, and more today.

Roseville Pleasant Grove Creek Trail closure for critical repairs

Roseville, Calif. - The trail crossing over Pleasant Grove Creek is closed for critical repairs between Old Coach Drive/Phillips Park and the Orchard View Road trailhead parking lot.

RG Philips Park in Roseville

RG Philips Park "This 6.5 acre park features a children’s...

Roseville welcomes US Quadball West Coast National Qualifier to Maidu Park

Roseville, Calif. - Quadball, an action-packed sport that evolved from the Harry Potter novels, will hold its only West Coast national qualifier Saturday, Feb. 8, and Sunday, Feb. 9 at Maidu Regional Park in Roseville.

The Crepe Stop in Roseville

The Crepe Stop in Roseville. Savory & Sweet. Crepes, Pancakes, Waffles, Gelato, Boba Tea.

Topics

LA-Z-Boy Home Furnishings & Décor in Roseville

Transform your living room and bedroom with La-Z-Boy's comfortable home furniture. Shop for sofas, couches, recliners, chairs, tables, mattress in a box, and more today.

Roseville Pleasant Grove Creek Trail closure for critical repairs

Roseville, Calif. - The trail crossing over Pleasant Grove Creek is closed for critical repairs between Old Coach Drive/Phillips Park and the Orchard View Road trailhead parking lot.

RG Philips Park in Roseville

RG Philips Park "This 6.5 acre park features a children’s...

Roseville welcomes US Quadball West Coast National Qualifier to Maidu Park

Roseville, Calif. - Quadball, an action-packed sport that evolved from the Harry Potter novels, will hold its only West Coast national qualifier Saturday, Feb. 8, and Sunday, Feb. 9 at Maidu Regional Park in Roseville.

The Crepe Stop in Roseville

The Crepe Stop in Roseville. Savory & Sweet. Crepes, Pancakes, Waffles, Gelato, Boba Tea.

Roseville Today Super Bowl party picks for Eagles and Chiefs game

Roseville, Calif.- This Sunday at the Superdome in New Orleans, the Philadelphia take on the Chiefs in Super Bowl 59. A super-sized rematch and unofficial national holiday of $8 million dollar commercials, food and drink and a little football.

Quarry Oaks Apartments in Rocklin

Quarry Oaks Apartments in Rocklin, Calif.

All American Sweeping Co. in Roseville

All American Sweeping's objective is to provide personalized customer service with an emphasis on professionalism, communication, responsiveness and quality at a fair price

Related Articles

Local Spotlight

California Fence and Patio serving Placer County for over 30 years

Loomis, Calif. - California Fence & Patio is proud of their reputation as the premier fencing and patio cover contractor in the Roseville,, Sacramento and Placer County region.

California Recovery Center in Roseville offers treatment for substance abuse and mental health

California Recovery Center (CRC) is a treatment provider for adults with substance abuse and mental health condition, located in Roseville and serving the greater Sacramento region.

Mobley Pest Services in Roseville serving the community and region for over 20 years

Roseville, Calif.- Fully licensed and bonded, Mobley Pest Services in Roseville has been providing reliable pest control services for well over 20 years. Serving residents and businesses in the greater Placer and Sacramento region, Mobley Pest Services is locally owned and operated in Roseville.