A Ray Of Sunshine

Joey takes a break from his workout with his mom, Liz (right) and his personal trainer, Sherry.

“Can you meet my friend Melissa? She’s here to talk to you today,” says Liz Petruzzi to her son, Joey. We’re standing in the lobby of Sunshine Physical Therapy and Joey’s about to get to work. In one hand, Liz clutches a reusable bag that is bright yellow – Joey’s favorite color – full of snack-sized Cheetos, chewy granola bars and peanut M&Ms. In the other she holds a white worksheet, an inventory list, which Joey pokes at excitedly. 

Suddenly he wraps his arms around my waist and leans into me for a second, hugging me hello. Then he turns his attention back to the worksheet. 

 “Aww yes we have stuff for your vending machine, I know, we do that after your gym,” Liz says to Joey. Every Tuesday and Thursday, Joey participates in Sunshine’s assisted fitness program, which he was referred to following the completion of physical therapy for a knee injury in 2012. Joey’s personal trainer, Sherry, takes him through a circuit of strength and endurance-building exercises. On both days his workout is just a warm-up before more serious obligations.

Sherry summons Joey to the gym where Liz helps him count down his last seconds on the exercise bike. “After he does his workout, he always cleans the break tables and he usually does an inventory of the snack machine or adds snacks,” she tells me.