How can a Magical Event and a Horrific Heartbeat of a Moment share the same 24- hour period?

The San Francisco native, Frank Alioto can contest to the unlikelihood of such irony. Frank’s story was featured on "Breakthrough with Tony Robbins,” on NBC July 27, 2010. Click here to watch the episode on NBC.com. “Frank the Tank” a nickname that was inherited and has stuck with him since, is due to the parallel between him and the character played by Will Ferrell in the 2003 box office hit “Old School”. Both guys always tinkering with their old red camaro’s and hangin’ with the fellas. The sarcastic, dry humored mechanical engineer tells his story with a smirk; as if he has some of the answers we are all searching for as we travel down the mysterious road of life. His silence is kept, his secret remains unrevealed as he goes through the events of a day that will always be remembered as the day he had a true understanding of the famous words, “for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health”.

Frank and Kristen had been good friends for years before they started dating. The active couple was always on the go. Their travel itineraries included several road trips in their RV, 4-wheeling, motor sports, mountain biking, hiking, camping.... and the list goes on, and on. His passion for automobiles produced and altered several vehicles over the years. He describes his garage as a child would describe a toy chest, filled with jeeps, trucks, dune buggies, and scrap motor-parts that would soon have a life of their own. He showed me a picture of his jeep that he modified; it’s quite impressive, custom suspension, custom roll-cage, after market seats and beadlock wheels. Frank and Kristen could be characterized as that rare couple that continues their own interests, but yet their experiences are heightened by their unique qualities. Like true puzzle pieces that belong attached, Frank and Kristen had a good thing and knew they wanted to spend the rest of their lives together, sharing all adventures that would come their way. They were engaged for about a year and a half and ready to tie the knot on December 6th 2008 in Puerto Vallarta.

Preparing for the day that would unite the two in marriage was no different from any other couple than it was for Frank and Kristen. The planning went smoothly with the help of their strategic, organized, wedding planner with no kinks in sight for the big day. However, there was no way to prepare for the heartbeat of a moment that would occur later that evening. The week had been jam packed with adventures shared with friends and family. By the time Saturday rolled around Frank and others were ready to relax and fully enjoy the celebration they had all traveled to attend.

He goes on describing the moment his fiancée walked down the aisle to meet him at the alter. Kristen, an independent, successful woman and soon to be wife of a true “Man’s Man”, was less than amused as she approached him at the alter. She was not lit up with smiles like most brides, but rather annoyed by Frank’s actions. The attention of the guests was focused on the “Snap Happy” groom rather than the beautiful bride. Camera in hand, he thought it would be fun to document this particular moment from his view, taking over from the photographer that had been hired. He chuckles as he re-lives the moment in his mind, and then shows me some photos of the ceremony that had been saved to his iPhone.

I have come to know Frank as the funny sarcastic member here at NextStep Fitness. Although I’m back in the office most of the time and have little interaction with the clients, I always catch a glimpse of conversation on the floor and can’t help but smile at Frank’s contributions. His loyalty, generosity and thoughtfulness are also very apparent from the desk where I sit. He always brings others into the loop of entertaining dialog, no matter what the topic may be on that particular day. Willing to clown at himself and always making sure not to joke at someone else's expense.... well…at least making sure they can handle it if he does. Personally speaking, best of all are his generous avocado offerings from his avocado tree. I have become quite popular with my friends due to my amazing guacamole, Thank You Frank!!

So, back to the story, Kristen is clearly well aware and in loving acceptance of Frank’s humor, Kristen’s annoyance quickly passed and the wedding ceremony was even more beautiful than expected. The reception was magnificent, over looking the ocean, dancing by the pool and sharing the love and happiness that was so evidently present.

By the time the sun started to set, the entire wedding party was in the pool dancing, wedding clothes and all. Yes, the bride was wearing her dress and her bridesmaids were wearing matching. They were all singing, dancing, and having the time of their lives. What a blast! Wanting to be a part of the “Water Wedding Party”, Frank dove in the pool headfirst.

His head forcefully plunged into the concrete floor and within a heartbeat of a moment his C5 & C6 vertebrae were completely shattered -- leaving him with a sever case of paralysis. Memory is lost of the actual dive as well as the contact he had at the bottom. Like a nightmare, but unable to awake, he found himself in a pool of water unable to float. At that moment, Frank knew there was something terribly wrong, the feeling in his legs was completely gone and he was unable to move. He was rushed to a clinic on a backboard where he was confined all night. “That was the first time I heard the word quadriplegic in association to my condition”. He goes on to explain the panic and anxiety he lived, while painfully and helplessly spending his “Golden Hour” in that Mexican Clinic. That was night “Team Tank” was born. His friends and family showed their support immediately, making Team Tank hospital bracelets.

Frank is now confined to a wheelchair and spends 3 days a week at NextStep Fitness. A facility that was established in 2008 by Janne Kouri, a man that has also been stripped from independence. Determined to make a difference NextStep Fitness partnered with the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation’s NeuroRecovery Network to bring cutting edge training methods, procedures, and technologies to rehabilitation for people suffering from paralysis. NextStep Fitness’ mission is to provide community-based, state-of-the-art fitness facilities for individuals suffering from paralysis at an affordable cost. Along with other members, NextStep Fitness has become Frank’s second home. Frank joined NextStep Fitness in May 2009, after Kristen vigorously searched for recovery options for her new husband. When he joined, he had very little upper-body movement. Christel Mitrovich, the Director of Locomotor Training here at NextStep has expressed his amazingly positive outlook, realistic personal goals and willingness to try something new. He has worked very hard on his arm movement, which was non-existent when he arrived, now able to raise both arms over his head. He is still working very hard on core strength and better arm control and looks forward to traveling more and becoming more independent in the future. The desire to get back to work was mentioned several times in our conversation as well as completing projects that were started before the wedding but now lay unfinished in his garage.

I asked Frank how this injury has changed him the most beyond the physical limitations. “Patience, I’ve never had patience,” he said. Frank explains that you cannot be impatient in his situation, it would be impossible. Waiting for others to help with simple tasks is very difficult for someone who is used to doing everything themselves. Before he was more caught up in his own life with work and other things that he now finds to be quite insignificant. The time with friends and family is a commodity that has become Frank’s first priority.

Just when you think these newlyweds have endured enough trauma, another obstacle lies in their path. This last February Kristin was diagnosed with a brain tumor. Doctors took her under the knife immediately finding a tumor the size of an orange. Only being able to remove half of the tumor, they went in a second time in May to recover the remains. Miraculously Kristen was back working full time in June shocking doctors with her speedy recovery. Frank and Kristen Alioto’s story is a compelling one to say the very least. It has captured the attention of many including, Tony Robbins who has done a special on Frank and his wife. The Tony Robbins crew followed Frank for two months including a trip to Fiji, which was his first big trip after the accident. His trip to Fiji opened his mind to the possibility to continue his travel adventures as he has come so accustomed to. They showed him the luxury was still available to him and his family, through different arrangements.

As far as “Team Tank” goes Kristen continues to stand strong by Frank’s side and family support is solid as ever. There is no slowing down “Team Tank”; the newlyweds will finally go to Hawaii for their honeymoon in November, and plan to fill their calendar with new itineraries in 2011.

Kathleen Dougherty
NextStep Fitness