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Running to relieve her pain

Tommy Accaria overcame asthma to be a top-notch runner. His success eases his mother's own obstacle in life.

By IZZY GOULD
Published November 10, 2005

	[Times photo: Janel Schroeder-Norton]
	Gulf senior Tommy Accaria, who qualified for the state cross country meet, is inspired by his mother's fight through back pain to see all but one of his races.

NEW PORT RICHEY - A wheelchair would be an upgrade from the cane Liz Accaria uses to walk from her car to her seat at cross country meets.

She's had chronic back pain for three years, like a knife twisting endlessly in her lower spine.

A walk most make in seconds takes her minutes. But she resists the urge to use a wheelchair on days she watches her youngest son, Tommy, race.

After all, Tommy, a Gulf senior, has done without his crutch - an asthma inhaler - since eighth grade when he defied recommendations not to run.

Tommy's final high school cross country run is Saturday in the Class 3A state meet at Little Everglades Ranch, his third shot at a state title. He is seeded 15th.

Liz has missed just one race in her son's career..

"He's my inspiration," Liz said. "'He tries so hard. Everything he does he wants to do perfect for me. I tell him to do the best he can do."

Tommy, 17, carried an asthma inhaler in one hand since he was a toddler coping with almost daily attacks on his respiratory system.

He believes his problems stemmed from being an overweight child who ate poorly and played lots of video games. He spent years in treatment with countless visits to doctors.

Pounding migraine headaches often sent Tommy to emergency rooms.

In eighth grade, he discovered soccer and running.

"One day I just went out and ran," Tommy said. "I grew out of (being overweight) and started going outside."

Tommy quickly realized he wasn't just good at running, he was a standout. He earned all-conference honors as an eighth-grader, and has earned three state berths at the high school level.

As it turns out, running became the remedy for his asthma.

One doctor visit his freshman year resulted in a clean bill of health and the doctor telling Tommy not to make any more asthma appointments.

"I thought there was no way this kid can (run) with his asthma so bad," Liz said. "He did it. He overcame the asthma and the migraine headaches."

Unfortunately, a remedy for her pain has not come as easy.

Liz first noticed her back problems three years ago. Specialists and doctors have been unable to help. She's considering other opinions.

"At night time I lay awake all night long," Liz said. "I don't tell (Tommy) I'm in pain. I forget about the pain when I watch him. I don't even pay attention to it. His pain is worse than mine sitting there watching him.

"Nothing compares to seeing him do what he's doing."

[Last modified November 10, 2005, 10:58:03]