Tony Ciaglia
Tony Ciaglia is a Traumatic Brain Injury survivor. His life story was recently told in a book published by Simon & Schuster (Touchstone) called "The Serial Killer Whisperer"
Tony had everything a teenager wants - good grades, great athletic skills, and good friends - until he was involved in a horrific accident while at summer camp. Tony was struck in the back of the head with a wave runner going 45 mph leaving him lifeless. He was transported by helicopter, pronounced dead three times, and then lapsed into a deep coma. He would remain on complete life support for 17 days and in a coma for more than 33 days.Tony underwent an out of body experience that he remembers vividly to this day.His description of this will leave audiences with a warm feeling that is hard to describe.
As he slowly emerged from his coma, he would face the toughest challenges of his life. He lost all basic functions and needed to re learn how to walk, talk,eat and he was paralyzed on the right side of his body. The physical rehabilitation came easy to Tony, but the mental rehabilitation would prove to be a much harder road.Tony tried to go back to school but nothing was the same.His friends teased him and eventually they all deserted him.He had a total nervous breakdown and was suicidal. With extensive damage to his temporal lobe,Tony had severe rage control issues. He credits his strong family support system and spiritual faith for helping him through the toughest of times. Tony always says that without his family he would either be in jail, in a mental hospital or dead. Although a traumatic brain injury affects you for your entire life,Tony has discovered that with strong family support, many years of therapy and medication he has learned how to cope with his deficiencies. This has allowed him to live a somewhat normal and productive life.
In 2005, Tony began corresponding with the world's most notorious serial killers as a hobby, and a form of study to keep busy. He spent a few years researching different notorious crimes and criminals and then began working with them directly. In his quest to answer nurture vs. nature, Tony moved along a path to find out what made these men commit the horrific crimes they were convicted of. As he travelled this road he became consumed with the question of what happened to "forgotten victims". He corresponds regularly with over 30 different serial killers, and has written and received over 5000 letters and has amassed hundreds of hours of phone conversations. He communicates with them in a way that nobody ever has, which has led to them discussing some of their darkest secrets. Throughout the years, Tony's research has led him to work with the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children and he has provided them with information to help try to solve cold case murders.
Tony demonstrates an electric performance and presentation for his audience. He openly discusses life with a traumatic brain injury, medication, and keeping motivated through the toughest of times. His story provides truth and hope to families or individuals that are faced with difficult challenges. His presentation also includes many facets of his research and being face to face with some of the world's most notorious serial killers. His audience will hear real telephone conversations with Tony and the killers, as well as videos of places that he has visited during his research. His presentation is real, heartfelt and one of a kind because HE LIVED IT ALL!!
Tony's presentation can be tailored to cover either subject or a combination of the two.
- Living with a Traumatic Brain Injury: A Lifetime of Challenges.
- Serial Killers and Me: A look into some of the world's darkest minds.
Tony Ciaglia is a Traumatic Brain Injury survivor. His life story was recently told in a book published by Simon & Schuster (Touchstone) called "The Serial Killer Whisperer"
Tony had everything a teenager wants - good grades, great athletic skills, and good friends - until he was involved in a horrific accident while at summer camp. Tony was struck in the back of the head with a wave runner going 45 mph leaving him lifeless. He was transported by helicopter, pronounced dead three times, and then lapsed into a deep coma. He would remain on complete life support for 17 days and in a coma for more than 33 days.Tony underwent an out of body experience that he remembers vividly to this day.His description of this will leave audiences with a warm feeling that is hard to describe.
As he slowly emerged from his coma, he would face the toughest challenges of his life. He lost all basic functions and needed to re learn how to walk, talk,eat and he was paralyzed on the right side of his body. The physical rehabilitation came easy to Tony, but the mental rehabilitation would prove to be a much harder road.Tony tried to go back to school but nothing was the same.His friends teased him and eventually they all deserted him.He had a total nervous breakdown and was suicidal. With extensive damage to his temporal lobe,Tony had severe rage control issues. He credits his strong family support system and spiritual faith for helping him through the toughest of times. Tony always says that without his family he would either be in jail, in a mental hospital or dead. Although a traumatic brain injury affects you for your entire life,Tony has discovered that with strong family support, many years of therapy and medication he has learned how to cope with his deficiencies. This has allowed him to live a somewhat normal and productive life.
In 2005, Tony began corresponding with the world's most notorious serial killers as a hobby, and a form of study to keep busy. He spent a few years researching different notorious crimes and criminals and then began working with them directly. In his quest to answer nurture vs. nature, Tony moved along a path to find out what made these men commit the horrific crimes they were convicted of. As he travelled this road he became consumed with the question of what happened to "forgotten victims". He corresponds regularly with over 30 different serial killers, and has written and received over 5000 letters and has amassed hundreds of hours of phone conversations. He communicates with them in a way that nobody ever has, which has led to them discussing some of their darkest secrets. Throughout the years, Tony's research has led him to work with the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children and he has provided them with information to help try to solve cold case murders.
Tony demonstrates an electric performance and presentation for his audience. He openly discusses life with a traumatic brain injury, medication, and keeping motivated through the toughest of times. His story provides truth and hope to families or individuals that are faced with difficult challenges. His presentation also includes many facets of his research and being face to face with some of the world's most notorious serial killers. His audience will hear real telephone conversations with Tony and the killers, as well as videos of places that he has visited during his research. His presentation is real, heartfelt and one of a kind because HE LIVED IT ALL!!
Tony's presentation can be tailored to cover either subject or a combination of the two.
- Living with a Traumatic Brain Injury: A Lifetime of Challenges.
- Serial Killers and Me: A look into some of the world's darkest minds.
