He can't walk or breathe without the aid of life support, yet he's never stopped chasing life. Thomas Marrocu, known to everyone as Tommy, 34, suffers from muscular dystrophy and is a living example of how passion and strength of spirit can overcome any obstacle.
He loves music, cinema, and football, and never misses a rock night or a match of his favorite team, Cagliari, at the stadium. But today his journey is at risk of being interrupted, not because of his illness, but because of bureaucracy and increasingly unsustainable financial difficulties.
Tommy lives in Quartucciu and leads an independent existence thanks to the assistance provided by the regional project "Ritornare a casa," which covers much of the expenses for the caregivers who support him 24/7. But the funds aren't enough: his disability pension is quickly absorbed by salaries, caregivers' vacation time, and daily expenses. Also weighing on him are rent , increasingly expensive bills—the latest one reaching €600—and car expenses.
A car is his greatest emergency today . His old Fiat Doblò, never designed for disabled transportation, is now showing serious signs of wear and tear. Without a safe and suitable vehicle, Tommy risks losing the freedom of movement that is his true lifeblood.
For this reason, friends, citizens, and associations have chosen to unite and launch the #unautopertommy campaign, with the goal of raising €30,000 to purchase a used and equipped vehicle. The fundraiser will be held on Saturday, September 13th at DoMusArt, the cultural center in Quartucciu, where the event "Solidarity between Words and Music" will take place, a benefit concert dedicated to him.
Singer Paolo Mameli, accompanied on piano by Maestro Valerio Carta, will perform on stage, along with young performers Naima Broccia and Veronica Mantega, in a tribute to musical theater and Italian and American song. Admission is free, and all proceeds will go to the fundraiser.
"I'm honored to lend my voice to such a noble and important cause," Mameli declared, "and I hope the solidarity movement can make a difference in this circumstance as well."