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Community Corner

Anthony Katz Turns Ten

Doctors had once predicted the Monroe boy wouldn't make it past his first birthday

About 250 Monroe children will turn ten this year, but none of them will have a celebration as special as Anthony Katz. Anthony turned ten on May 10. Sunday, he enjoyed a carnival-themed party with roughly 250 friends and family at Wolfe Park.

Anthony has myotubular myopathy, a disease in the family of muscular dystrophy that causes problems with the tone and contraction of skeletal muscles. The disease is extremely rare and most children with myotubular myopathy do not survive their first year.

But that’s not what makes Anthony special. It’s his zest for life and the love that he inspires in this community, according to those who know him. Ask anyone who knows the Monroe Elementary School fourth grader to explain what’s special about him and it’s not his condition. Instead, you’ll hear stories about the funny kid who likes to joke around, sing, dance and hang out with his friends. 

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“They gave him a few hours (when he was born),” said Anthony’s mother, Tina Katz. “He’s writing his own book, his own statistics.”

Looking around at all the party goers, Tina reflected on Anthony’s tenth birthday. “It’s so special," she said. "It’s awesome! It’s the gift of life and every year is so special. We want everyone to see how much he's grown.”

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The party began at noon and lasted past 8 p.m. despite the rainy weather. Anthony and his guests enjoyed rides on a Monroe fire truck, a visit from Mickey Mouse, two bouncy houses, carnival games, a Sponge Bob piñata, cotton candy, popcorn, lots of food and a carnival themed cake creation. When asked what his favorite part of the party was, Anthony couldn’t pick just one. “Mickey” and “piñata,” Anthony said.

Anyone who has had a ten year old knows they are very opinionated about their birthday parties and Anthony is no different. “He wanted to have a carnival theme.  He wanted his face painted and to ride the fire trucks,” said Anthony’s father Doug Katz, “It’s great to see everyone here!”

Alexa Alan, Meghan Lancaster, and Bea Zazuri are classmates of Anthony's at Monroe Elementary School. The girls are Anthony’s best friends and have weekly play dates and sleepovers with him. They also spend time with Anthony at school, especially during lunch.

When asked what she wants people to know about Anthony, 10-year-old Meghan Lancaster said, “There’s more to him. He’s special. He uses tubes to breath, but he likes to joke around. Today in the car ride over here, he took his balloon and made it a sword and pretended to cut us!”

“He likes to play a lot of games,” added Alexa Alan, 9, "He likes to play Wii."

Her younger sister Hailey, 7, could often be found Sunday sitting with Anthony on his wheel chair, and later, helping him open birthday presents.  At one point, Anthony bopped her on the head with a toy when she wasn’t paying attention to him. “He’s funny!” said Bea Zazuri, 9.

Tina Katz says Anthony’s friends are special too, “They are totally knowledgeable.  They change his batteries. They prime and get his feeding tube ready.”

The youngest of four boys, Anthony is doted on by his loving family. He also has many aunts, uncles, cousins and grandparents that live in the area and wouldn’t miss this special celebration.

MaryAnn Minevino of Monroe is Anthony’s bus driver. “He’s always in a good mood," she said. "He loves to listen to 106.1 and he knows all the new songs. He sings and dances. It makes me so happy.”

Anthony’s former bus driver Lori Ritter of Newtown also holds a special place in her heart for him. “I love him. He’s so inspirational!” she said, adding she was thrilled to share in the celebration. “It’s a happy place and it makes you thankful to be a part of it!”

Anthony has a close relationship with the Firefighters of Monroe, who have been a part of Anthony’s birthday celebrations for years. This year, Anthony’s dressed up as a Monroe firefighter for . Even his wheel chair was transformed into a ladder truck by his father and brothers. Anthony will be marching with the firefighters of Monroe in this year’s Memorial Day parade, Sunday, May 29, at 2 p.m.

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