August 21, 2006
Local man perseveres after his wife's death
http://www.EastValleyTribune.com/index.php?sty=72170
Local man perseveres after his wife's death
By John Leptich
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Mark Trombino and his daughter Priya, 3, watch "Barney" Thursday in their Cave Creek home. |
At 3 feet 3 inches tall and weighing 75 pounds, Mark Trombino has heard more than enough jokes about his size. The 35-year-old Cave Creek resident has had to be a big man to overcome the anguish of growing up little. But Trombino has suffered far worse trauma than mere insults.
Trombino's worst nightmare came in May 2005 when his beloved wife of nearly four years, Anupam - whom he met at a dwarfs' convention - died of injuries resulting from a car collision. It was even more and greater pain for a man who suffered through 15 leg surgeries during his childhood.
When he was an infant, Trombino's arms and legs were abnormally short. Genetic testing revealed he had a rare form of dwarfism called spondyloepiphyseal dysplasia congenita, an inherited disorder of bone growth that results in short stature, skeletal abnormalities and problems with vision and hearing. The condition is present at birth.
Still, Trombino said Anu's death was the worst thing he has ever dealt with.
The Trombinos' story was featured in the PBS documentary "Big Enough" in 2004. Losing Anu, especially when the family's future looked so bright, was heartbreaking.
"I think I'm more equipped to handle tragedy than most people," Trombino said. "Obviously, Anu's death was devastating. For lack of a better word, I built my life around her and our daughter. You just sort of adjust over time after something like this."
Trombino's life revolves around his 3-year-old daughter, Priya, which means "loved one" in India, Anu's birthplace. A dwarf like her parents, Priya is Trombino's pride and joy and keeps him going.
"It's very tough bringing her up alone, but I do it," said Trombino, who in 1993 received a communications degree from University of Arizona. "I miss having a partner to share the experience of a child with. Priya misses and needs a female influence in her life."
Trombino said he may be ready to date again and remarry in the future, but for now he's content taking care of his daughter and juggling myriad jobs.
He has worked as an elf on commercials for the Arizona Lottery, done voiceovers for other TV spots, and appeared on television programs and in theater productions. He also does motivational speaking for schools and groups, and is working on his biography, "Walking Tall."
He works tirelessly for the Little People of America, a dwarf support group.
"I feel I'm a normal human being and so is my daughter," he said. "I've never let dwarfism affect my life or hers. I know what she will go though and I will be there to explain and guide her."
Trombino said he hopes his work ethic, terrific sense of humor, speaking ability and upcoming book serve as inspirational tools for others.
"I'd like to make a difference in people's lives," he said. "I want to inspire hope. If you put your mind to it, you can do anything in life, no matter what your situation is.
"I'm still working through," Trombino added.
"Once the book is done, I hope it will be a well-written story about keeping going on," he said. "That's what I'm doing."
For more information on Trombino, visit http://www.dwarfactor.com/.
Trombino's worst nightmare came in May 2005 when his beloved wife of nearly four years, Anupam - whom he met at a dwarfs' convention - died of injuries resulting from a car collision. It was even more and greater pain for a man who suffered through 15 leg surgeries during his childhood.
When he was an infant, Trombino's arms and legs were abnormally short. Genetic testing revealed he had a rare form of dwarfism called spondyloepiphyseal dysplasia congenita, an inherited disorder of bone growth that results in short stature, skeletal abnormalities and problems with vision and hearing. The condition is present at birth.
Still, Trombino said Anu's death was the worst thing he has ever dealt with.
The Trombinos' story was featured in the PBS documentary "Big Enough" in 2004. Losing Anu, especially when the family's future looked so bright, was heartbreaking.
"I think I'm more equipped to handle tragedy than most people," Trombino said. "Obviously, Anu's death was devastating. For lack of a better word, I built my life around her and our daughter. You just sort of adjust over time after something like this."
Trombino's life revolves around his 3-year-old daughter, Priya, which means "loved one" in India, Anu's birthplace. A dwarf like her parents, Priya is Trombino's pride and joy and keeps him going.
"It's very tough bringing her up alone, but I do it," said Trombino, who in 1993 received a communications degree from University of Arizona. "I miss having a partner to share the experience of a child with. Priya misses and needs a female influence in her life."
Trombino said he may be ready to date again and remarry in the future, but for now he's content taking care of his daughter and juggling myriad jobs.
He has worked as an elf on commercials for the Arizona Lottery, done voiceovers for other TV spots, and appeared on television programs and in theater productions. He also does motivational speaking for schools and groups, and is working on his biography, "Walking Tall."
He works tirelessly for the Little People of America, a dwarf support group.
"I feel I'm a normal human being and so is my daughter," he said. "I've never let dwarfism affect my life or hers. I know what she will go though and I will be there to explain and guide her."
Trombino said he hopes his work ethic, terrific sense of humor, speaking ability and upcoming book serve as inspirational tools for others.
"I'd like to make a difference in people's lives," he said. "I want to inspire hope. If you put your mind to it, you can do anything in life, no matter what your situation is.
"I'm still working through," Trombino added.
"Once the book is done, I hope it will be a well-written story about keeping going on," he said. "That's what I'm doing."
For more information on Trombino, visit http://www.dwarfactor.com/.