It’s Saturday Morning So Here's An Extremely Personal Story About My Best Friend And His Formerly Conjoined Daughters
I'm making this blog extremely personal because that's exactly what this story is. One of my best friends has spent the last 18 months on this remarkable journey with his wife and two daughters. I'm crying while I write this whole thing. If you have it in your heart to donate, please do. No amount is too small. Link here and below many times.
(Donation links do not work on Barstool app but they work on a browser)
I've known Dom since high school days. We went to bitter rivals and he was the best shortstop in the area, headed to Illinois on a hefty scholarship. I was a textbook average pitcher who would later develop on the mound. For as long as I can remember he has been in my corner. When I didn't have a friend on the team, a place to sit on the bus or even a chance to wear the uniform, Dom was by my side. I could regale you with seemingly countless stories about our time together and the impact it's had on my life. Or you could take my word for it.
Let's meet in the middle.
I'm so lucky to know this guy. If you listen to my podcast you've heard a lot of anonymous anecdotes with my friends. I won't out any specifically, but he's a mainstay in the annals of Red Line banter. Honestly and sincerely one of the best people I know and a person I love with all my heart.
(Donation links do not work on Barstool app but they work on a browser)
His wife Maggie is better. She's part saint, part angel and 100% a badass woman. For context, Dom is a single digit handicap and his wife has to give him 2 strokes a side and maybe one after the round if he's been a bad boy. That's a joke they'd FOR SURE laugh at because they're those kinda people. Always smiling and loving and making those around them feel good. If we were snake drafting "Couples You Know Personally" then I'm taking Dom and Maggie 1.1 overall and laughing my way to 1st place.
I'll wash Dom's balls as much as I want. Thank you very much.
Rewind to later last year when the news starts to permeate across the boys that Dom and Maggie are having twins. HOW EXCITING. "They're moving to Philadelphia to have them..."
Uhhhhh what's in Philadelphia?…. Why are you moving to -
Nobody anywhere would have anticipated the universally random, challenging news that would follow. The twins were conjoined and they needed the best treatment/resources/expertise available. Ultimately that means round-the-clock-care at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. So Dom and Maggie picked up and moved to Philadelphia to start their family, come hell or high water or whatever else God (and/or whoever you pray to) could throw their way.
(Donate here)
(Donation links do not work on Barstool app but they work on a browser)
From there, I can really only talk about my perspective. I have no idea what those doctor visits were like. I can't imagine the sleepless nights worrying about the women in your life. Wanting to protect them and provide for them and make this fucked up world as safe as it can be. And yet all of those things hang in the balance of getting world class, cutting edge medical care on the other side of the country. If you can, put yourself in their shoes and think how you'd rise to this level of challenge.
It would break me
I opened up about my love for Dom at the beginning so I can make this point now. Across all my time, friends, social moments and experiences, from the very beginning of my memories up until the time I hit publish on this blog, I have never admired friends the way I do Dom and Maggie. The smiles got bigger over time. The hugs got warmer. The optimism and hope never faded, at least not to any of us back home. "THE GIRLS ARE GOOD BABY GIRLS ARE GOOD…. HOW'S BARSTOOL???" Just thinking about those conversations now hit me so fucking hard. I'm crying and it's okay.
(Donation links do not work on Barstool app but they work on a browser)
Everyone thinks they're so tough and cool and sweet. Dom just wanted to know how you're doing and how's Mom and what's new with Mrs. Carl's job. Are you taking any trips? Golf swing still busted?
Good. Good. Nothing. No. Very much so.
The only thing Dom and Maggie were really adamant about was hanging on to their privacy. Maybe one day, when the dust settles and the girls are healthy. Maybe there would be the right time to share their story and spread the word and raise awareness. But until then, all they wanted to do was concentrate on the fight and bring the girls home.
Fast forward to last night. I get a call from Dominic. There's a Today Show appearance and a documentary coming out and all this stuff. They're taking the story public nationally to raise awareness and money for Doctor Holly Hedrick - a certified miracle worker that needs more funding. It's a remarkably underserved part of the medical community and Dom & Maggie want to change that. They want people to know about the special things going on at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and are asking for you to consider a donation. I am writing this blog to beg and plead you to give.
Even if you don't like babies. Even if you think I suck and this is a stupid thing to share on a Friday night. Whatever awfulness lurks inside of you, there's an opportunity to do some good by going here and donating to Dr. Holly Hedrick's team so they can continue research and innovating in this field. Without their expertise and work, the tone of this blog would be exceptionally different. One more time, just put yourself in their shoes.
Thanks for reading this. Here's a very short documentary on their journey. I dare you to watch it and not fall in love with the Altobellis immediately.
Make that a DOUBLE DARE:
PS - Shoulders look great dude. Keep that circuit goin