Life in Full: Tony’s Story
Tony Amerman, 49, has always embraced challenges with resilience, never letting his disability keep him from a full life.
Growing up in Texas, Tony and six of his seven siblings entered foster care. Determined to stay together, they were featured in the National Enquirer to help find them a home. They eventually landed in Candor, New York, becoming part of an even larger blended family complete with 14 siblings.
As he grew older, his family recognized his need for additional support, leading him to transition to Unity House’s care in his late teens. There, Tony gained independence, participated in Special Olympics, and secured a job. He also fell in love with and married Gale Campbell, another Unity House resident, becoming the first couple in the organization’s supportive apartment program to live together.
Life was moving forward, but then came an unexpected challenge. Tony began to struggle with tasks that once came easily, tiring more quickly and facing physical difficulties. He was diagnosed with Huntington’s disease, a progressive neurological disorder that affects movement, cognition, and behavior.
Tony’s needs have grown, but the people who care for him are determined to help him continue to thrive.
Tony now lives in a group home so he can get more support, but Unity House staff drive him each week to eat dinner with his wife at their favorite restaurant. Staff also take him to Day Hab twice a week and physical therapy as needed.
“He’s still a ray of sunshine,” said Amy Santobianco, director of Unity House’s residential program for people with developmental disabilities.
Tony’s sister, Maria Dryer-Amerman, said she’s grateful that Unity House is doing everything possible to help Tony as his needs grow.
“He will be here until the end of his life,” Maria said. “It’s nice to know that he will be with people that he considers his second family.”