staten island advance.

assemblyman's company to give state-of-art limbs to ferry-crash amputee
matthew mirones, east shore republican, aids paul esposito, of Sea View, who lost both legs below knees.
10.24.2003

Assemblyman Matthew Mirones is well-known for his work with amputees from Sierra Leone.

Yesterday, he extended his charity efforts to 24-year-old Meiers Corners resident Paul Esposito, who lost both legs below the knees in the crash of the Staten Island Ferry Andrew J. Barberi.

Mirones (R-East Shore/Brooklyn) promised to employ his prosthetic company, ARIMED, to provide Esposito with state-of-the-art limbs as soon as he is ready to use them.

The assemblyman is a certified prosthetist.

"The good side of people is coming out," said Esposito's father, Michael, last night. "From something this tragic, the benevolence of people has come to light."

Paul Esposito does not have medical coverage, though his family says city officials have offered to help pay his hospital bills.

Mirones promised the prosthetics free of charge, which Esposito's father said was a relief.

"If it wasn't for people like this, with me getting ready to retire, I certainly wouldn't be able to afford these kinds of things," Michael Esposito said.

Mirones, who did not seek media attention for his efforts, could not be reached for comment.

During a visit yesterday to Esposito at Staten Island University Hospital, Ocean Breeze, Mirones gave the young man a demonstration of the different types of prosthetics, including limbs that are specially made for sports, and assured him that no extensive surgery would be required to get his legs fitted.

"Paulie was extremely happy to hear that," Michael Esposito said.

Ex-Beatle Paul McCartney (after whom Paul Esposito is named) and his wife, Heather Mills McCartney, have also been in contact with the family, sending e-mails of support and encouragement.

Mrs. McCartney, who lost her left leg below the knee in a road accident, is known for her charity work against landmines, and with the Heather Mills McCartney Cosmesis, a lifelike prosthetic limb.