Anthony Gonzalez Receives 2009 Alan and Delwyn Breslau Award
"What that did for them was give them a glimpse of hope, a glimpse of the future and try to take away all the fears of the unknown," explained Tony. "It gave them an idea of what their son's life might be like and I thank them for that introduction."
Months later, as a patient at Loyola University Medical Center in Chicago, Tony met the man whose name he described as "synonymous with support." Phoenix Society founder Alan Breslau and his wife, Delwyn, were at the hospital to speak to the burn center's support group when they visited Tony in his hospital room and, as Alan recalled, "We gave him encouragement." Soon after, Tony began exploring the Phoenix Society website and seeking out other burn survivors. In 1999, he traveled to Atlanta to attend his first WBC.
According to Barry Bennett, a social worker at Loyola, Tony returned a "different person" with a vibrant desire to give back. Now he spends much of his time seeing that the same opportunities for support are offered to others.
Tony was determined that Loyola should serve as one of the six pilot programs for the Phoenix Society's SOAR program and, partly due to his efforts, in 2001 the program was instituted there. He initially trained as a peer supporter and now serves as a SOAR coordinator. He raises funds each year and inspires others to contribute so that a group of approximately 12 burn survivors and family members from Loyola can attend WBC annually. Perhaps most importantly, according to Barry, is Tony's ability to mentor new patients, "providing them with the gift of hope, to be the living example that you can face overwhelming odds and get through those odds and find happiness."
"We are all truly blessed to have him in our lives," remarked Dave Schury, a burn survivor who credits Tony with inspiring him and his wife to volunteer with SOAR.
In recognition of Tony's dedication to the burn community, Alan and Delwyn presented Tony with the 2009 Breslau award. The award is the highest distinction the Society can bestow. By the virtue of their character, integrity, and the service provided to those impacted by a burn injury, the recipient has significantly enhanced the Phoenix Society and the burn community as a whole.
In accepting the award, Tony acknowledged his loving family who have supported him throughout his recovery; the staff at Regions Hospital from whom he "learned what support was;" everyone at Loyola who has created the environment that enables him to be the best volunteer he can; Barry Bennett, the social worker there who has given him "the guidance and the courage and the opportunities" to find his path; and the Phoenix Society for giving him the courage and confidence to make the right decisions in his recovery. |
It was in 1997 while a patient at Regions Hospital in St Paul, Minnesota, that Anthony "Tony" Gonzalez recalls learning the meaning of support. He had experienced a burn injury to more than 90% of his body in a propane explosion. His family had traveled from their home in Chicago to be by his bedside for what would become a 10-month hospital stay. The situation may have seemed overwhelming, but the staff at Regions introduced his parents to another family who was going through a similar experience, but was about 4 or 5 months ahead of him in recovery.