Cats are said to have nine lives (though not literally). This myth suggests that cats possess a special ability to survive even the most perilous of situations. Ralph Marziale seems to have a similar superpower, having narrowly escaped death multiple times over the past three years. But he couldn’t have done it alone.
Diagnosed in 2007 with scleroderma, an autoimmune disease that causes a buildup of scar tissue on the skin and in the internal organs, Marziale’s life became a rollercoaster of health challenges. In 2011, he developed pulmonary hypertension and was sent to Rhode Island Hospital to attend a support group for the condition.
