Meet Danny.
“It’s always a struggle to get better. But I love a fight”, says Danny Margagliano as he maneuvers his wheelchair into his office at 30A Local Properties in Grayton Beach. Though born and raised in Ocean City, New Jersey, no one has come to symbolize “30A Local” quite like Danny Margagliano. After a diving accident off the coast in Destin left him paralyzed from the shoulder’s down, surgery and intensive rehabilitation has allowed Danny to pursue a career in real estate.
Life rolls on.
During the 1990’s Margagliano was a professional surfer, traveling the world and competing in tournaments from Hawaii to California, New Jersey to Central America. In 2008, he moved to Santa Rosa Beach and worked for the South Walton Fire District as a firefighter and paramedic before being injured in April of 2012. Looking back, he says “It’s ironic, that after riding some of the biggest waves in the world, I would be felled in the tranquil waters of Destin, Florida.” Though his injury to his C4 to C6 vertebrae has him bound to a wheelchair, he continues the rehabilitation battle. At the end of 2014, Margagliano, with the help of the state funded Vocational Rehab, passed a driving test that allows freedom from reliance on others for transportation. His latest surgery in April 2016 was a tricep tendon transfer from his bicep, which has already helped his arm control, mobility and function, and with further rehabilitation the prognosis is great for more and more improvement.
Bobby Johnson, owner/agent at 30A Local Properties says “Danny is an inspiration to all. Whenever one of my agents talks about things that are not working out or they are slow, I say, come meet Danny. He shows up everyday. He calls clients. He gives 100%. His attitude is infectious and should be a reminder to all of us that life is what you make it. He has every obstacle placed in front of him but proves to all that if you keep on ‘rolling’ forward you can achieve anything. We are blessed to have him and he helps make all of us better.”
Teamwork!
Danny and his mother, Arlene Margagliano, joined 30A Local Properties in May of 2015 as a team. “The dynamic with my mother works really well”, he says. Danny focuses on the technology, marketing, and communication aspects of real estate while Arlene uses her extensive knowledge of the area and works face-to-face with clients showing properties from Inlet beach to Destin. “Buyers and sellers get a package deal when working with team Margagliano”, he says. “Another huge advantage is our brokerage, 30A Local Properties. The office works as a large team helping each other with buyers and sellers making sure that the end goal is achieved, that all of our clients are comfortable, at ease and happy. There is no competition between agents here. There is only agents helping agents to make sure that we all succeed and that all our clients have a pleasant experience with home buying or selling.”
Community Support…
Danny said that he continues to be deeply indebted to the countless number of generous people who’ve shown their support to him since the accident. “I’m truly amazed and thankful to be part of the South Walton community. I love the feeling of being able to get out to Seaside or other events along 30A and have people I know come up and say hi. There’s no place I’d rather be.” When asked if he had any final words for the interview, he said, “Life goes on. Keep on rolling!”
Author: SWal Life
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