He’s Helped Thousands and Now He Needs Your Help

Tony Cecchine is a Chicagoland-based grappling and martial arts instructor who is suffering following a recent stroke. Even though he’s based in the Midwest, Tony’s training has helped thousands of people around the globe to keep themselves and their families safe in a dangerous world.

Now he needs your help!

Tony was hospitalized for more than a month and is now home but it’s not known for how long. He has no family and no ability to generate income as he can barely move and everyday tasks are exhausting. Unless he can come up with money soon, he faces eviction and homelessness.

Please help out this man that came from rough beginnings and who turned out to be an inspiration for so many people young and old alike.

Tough Beginning, Poverty and Murder

Tony had a difficult upbringing being raised in a Cleveland neighborhood plagued with crime and poverty. He was only 8 years old when he witnessed his first murder. With his parents not together, Tony was raised by his grandparents who provided him only the bare essentials. He was the victim of numerous attacks through his childhood as was his grandmother and other friends.

Sports, Volunteering and Church

To keep away from the bad elements of his life, Tony participated in all kinds of sports. He especially loved boxing. He also volunteered at his Catholic church as an alter boy. It was there he met a man who would change his life.

Stanley Radwan, a polish immigrant taught Tony, an all-but-dead form of grappling known as Catchwrestling. While Catchwrestling was in existence among certain circles in the early days of professional wrestling, given the violent environment Tony was in Radwan’s approach to Catchwrestling was solely for self-defense rather than a sportive aspect.

Music and the Mats

Tony trained on the mats with Radwan throughout his teens and later developed an affinity for music. He eventually moved to Chicago to train with jazz musicians he held in high regard.

Following an explosion in popularity of the grappling arts in the 90s, Tony supported himself as a musician and coaching Catchwrestling. During his coaching career he traveled the US, produced dozens of instructional videos and trained numerous competitors and champions. He loved Catchwrestling so much he often supported others or trained them for free.

Sacrificed for His Mom

Earlier in his adulthood, Tony rekindled his relationship with his mother and would be by her side for years to come. As her health declined from dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease he became her primary caregiver.

During this time he was unable to work which contributed to his inability to get social security. As her health deteriorated, she could not be left alone. Getting caregivers was an extreme challenge. Tony did everything from taking her to appointments, advocating for her with social service agencies, and ensuring her needs were met.

This was a very stressful time as his mom would forget who he was and barge into his room screaming at all hours of the day including the middle of the night. She would also take strolls outside the house and frequently get lost.

His mom went to a long-term care facility last year and Tony has since suffered health problems of his own.

Can’t Breathe/Paralyzed

On the week of Nov. 27, 2023, Tony had been having trouble breathing so he went to an urgent care facility. His heart rate and blood pressure were so volatile that the doctors would not allow him to leave on his own and instead took him by ambulance to a hospital.

He suffered a stroke at the hospital and over the next month whlle there, his health continued to decline. He had multiple seizures, and spikes in his blood pressure and heart rate. These episodes left him partially paralyzed being unable to use his right leg and right arm. The physical therapy while hospitalized was not successful.

When it Rains it Pours

Tony was able to return home in late December only to find it damaged and burglarized of his valuable items including

• Cash savings

• Jewelry

• Electronic equipment such as cameras and microphones

• Musical instruments

• Billiard equipment

• Computer and related items

Mobility

Tony has serious mobility challenges as he is using a walker and his driver’s license has been revoked because he can no longer drive a car.

(License revoked mandatory 6 months by Illinois state law. Subject to medical review for reinstatement.)

Mass transit in his semi-rural area is almost non-existent leaving him stranded and in need of paid ride share or taxis to get around.

His ongoing health issues include:

• AFib that caused a stroke

• Seizures as a result of the Afib/stroke

• Paralysis on one side of body

• Speech Impairment

• Kidney Malfunction (Stage 3a chronic)

• Drastic memory loss issues from Multiple Concussion Syndrome and Stroke

• Internal bleeding (having a colonoscopy in the future to check for polyps/cancer)

• Kidney issues with an elevated risk of colon cancer

• Patent foramen ovale (hole in his heart)

• Degenerative arthritis of lumbar and cervical spine

The Future

He is still in need of multiple treatments including a colonoscopy, subject to approval from Cardiologist

Financially he has been denied SSDI (disability) for lack of credits since he was unable to work due to him being a caregiver to his mother. (Has not paid in the last 10 years, verified from Social Security)

Tony has applied for SSI but will not know if he's accepted until perhaps up to two years (generally 6-12 months but can be longer).

Tony is the kind of person who does not like to ask for help but is always supporting others whether friends around town or his students. Now we are asking those who can to provide support in this time of need. Any contribution is appreciated.

Please donate now to assist with Tony’s medical expenses and cost of living so he can get proper medical care including treatment for his heart and begin the road to recovery.

Tony is a fighter and an inspiration to us all. It’s time we step up and give him the help he refuses to ask for.

Thank you in advance for whatever help you can give.