TONY STRUGGLED WITH A RARE DISORDER FOR YEARS, BUT WOULDN’T LET IT CONTROL HIS LIFE

“At age 18, I was diagnosed with a rare chromosomal disorder called 22q-deletion syndrome,” Tony Bonanno said. 

22q-deletion syndrome is a chromosomal abnormality that can cause a wide range of health and developmental issues, including heart defects, breathing issues, problems with the gastrointestinal tract, immune and endocrine systems, differences in the palate, slow growth, autism/developmental delays or learning disabilities in some individuals.

For Tony, it led to bouts with depression, anger and paranoia.

“Between 18-24, I was really angry,” Tony added. “I had to get on medication for it because I was frequently ending up in the back of cop cars.”

Many doctors still aren’t sure about how to diagnosis 22q or its variability. Thus, many people don’t even know they have it until they are in their late teens or early 20s. Unknowingly, Tony has fought this disorder his entire life, and it comes with a ton of physical and mental obstacles. 

But it did finally explain why he felt different his whole life.

“I was born with a cleft palate and also struggle with anxiety, depression, and mild schizophrenia,” Tony said. “I spent years being really angry and acting out in ways I regret. My mom was always there helping and keeping me grounded, even when I would be irrationally angry at her. I struggled a lot as a teenager with depression and anger and paranoia. I was jumped when I was 16, which really affected me and made me decide that I wanted to become stronger.”

In his early 20s, he began to have a real interest in both powerlifting and MMA which, Tony said, helped him both physically and mentally.

“It keeps me sane,” he said. “It gives me something to do with my time so I don’t have time to feel upset because I’m too busy reaching goals and doing things that make me proud of myself. With powerlifting, it’s taught me to deal with pain and push through it, no matter what life throws at me. I only want to go forward. I try to tell people who have a hard time like me to just try to stay positive, even if you have to fake it sometimes, because eventually it’ll become a habit to stay positive even when life keeps throwing you things that feel heavy.”

Tony credits APEMAN’s “ONLY FORWARD” phrase for helping him through deep depression and anger and keeping his head on straight. 

“It makes me feel like I’m not alone with life’s obstacles,” said Tony. “I actually have that phrase on my cell phone wallpaper to keep me pushing through. I’m now 27, healthy, live by myself and have two jobs and a car. I went from a path which would have certainly led to prison time to now focusing my depression, anger and anxiety into my training.”