Marc DePerno

Focus on the ability’
DePerno provides inspiration to patients, colleagues

By RENEE GAMELA
Observer-Dispatch
rgamela@utica.gannett.com

When people have a life-altering event, the natural response is to think of all things they can’t do, Marc DePerno says.

DePerno, an occupational therapist since 2002 at Sitrin Health Care Center in New Hartford, does more than provide therapy to patients - he shows them how to live with their disabilities.

“Life is not over, you’re just in another chapter,” DePerno said he tells patients. “Now we’re going to emphasize the abilities you do have. Don’t focus on the disability, focus on the ability.”

The 32-year-old Utica resident is the director of Sitrin Medical Rehabilitation Center’s Success Through Adaptive Recreation and Sports Program, more commonly known as Sitrin STARS. He was nominated for Accent on Excellence by several colleagues at Sitrin, the 2006 U.S. Paralympic Wheelchair Curling Team and Sitrin STARS.
DePerno has been instrumental in encouraging Danell Libby to participate in adaptive sports, she said. A car accident left Libby paralyzed from the waist down when she was 18 years-old. Today, the 37-year-old is a member of the 2006 U.S. Paralympic Wheelchair Curling team and has traveled internationally, including a trip to Torino, Italy this year for the Paralympic Games. DePerno was an assistant trainer of the 2006 Paralympic curling team.

“He brings out the abilities people have and doesn’t even see the disabilities,” Libby said.

This summer, with help from DePerno, Libby kayaked for the first time on a lake in the Adirondacks.

“It was an incredible experience and I can’t believe I put that off for so long,” Libby said. “It was so liberating and provided so much freedom.”

“Marc is a true healer,” Rosemary Bonacci, director of communications at Sitrin, wrote in the nomination letter. “He is dedicated to improving the quality of life for all people regardless of their disabilities.”

Those with spinal cord injuries, autism, cerebral palsy, hip or knee replacements, stroke and various developmental delays receive treatment from DePerno. Although he is a young husband and father of two, he always makes time for his patients, Bonacci said.

“His day doesn’t stop at 4 o’clock,” she said. He trains people with disabilities for the Boilermaker and Marc is there with them every minute.”

A self-described “sports nut,” DePerno said he enjoys biking, watching the New York Yankees play and spending time with his family, his “first priority in life,” he said.

DePerno is a 1992 graduate of Whitesboro High School and 2000 graduate of Utica College. He will return this fall to his college alma matter as an adjunct professor of an adapted sports course, which he developed. Being selected as a 2006 Accent on Excellence winner is an honor, he said.

“I’ve followed this each year since the award came out,” he said. “To think that folks feel I do the same as some of the honorees is gratifying. I think it just makes me continue to drive to do the best I can.”