A helping hand

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October 1, 2008

Masonic lodge helping family dealing with health problems

Anonymous The Cullman Times Wed Oct 01, 2008, 07:38 PM CDT

By Tiffany Green

STAFF WRITER

Greg O’Neil holds back tears as he holds his wife’s hand and talks about the struggles his family has endured. His wife, Pam, recently had a second brain aneurysm.

“It has been a long hard road,” Greg said.

Ten years ago, Pam experienced a brain aneurysm but made a full recovery and was well enough to go back to work. But earlier this year, Greg got a call at work that began a long, hard journey. Pam had experienced another aneurysm.

“It was a trying time, but she came through the first one with flying colors,” Greg said.

This time around it was worse , and after the aneurysm, Pam had a massive blood clot in her brain. She has had a tracheotomy, a feeding tube, had seizures and has been on a respirator.

“She is a very strong-willed women,” Greg said. “We are very determined she will walk again.”

During this time, Greg was laid off from Wolverine in Decatur when it shut down, and had to find another job. He also wanted to be able to stay home and provide for his wife of almost 33 years.

“My insurance ended the day after the trachea was taken out,” Greg said. “It has just been so much.”

The hardships were too much, and Pam had to stay in a nursing home when Greg had to work.

“We can’t wait until she is well enough to be home all the time,” Greg said.

Greg recently celebrated his 51st birthday. When his children asked him what gift he wanted, he knew the answer.

“Pam had wanted a new, gold wedding band. So my kids and I put our money together and got it for her,” he said, holding back tears.

The O’Neils have three grown children who have helped out tremendously, he said.

“Pam lived in Huntsville with our oldest son and his wife, and they helped out when they could,” he said.

Greg now works at Yutaka and is very humble about asking for help.

“Only a few people at work know my situation,” he said. “I’m normally a very private person.”

But his neighbor, Herman Loyd, knew of his family’s situation and wanted to help.

“He can’t handle everything on his own,” Loyd said. “We don’t want him to worry about everything.”

So Loyd went to his friends at the Simcoe Masonic Lodge and asked what they could do to help his neighbor.

“People want to come do what they can to help him,” said Ray Lathem, a lodge member.

The O’Neil’s home has been neglected over the past years due to Pam’s illness.

“Ten years of medical bills mean a neglected home,” Loyd said.

The members of the Masonic Lodge decided to help by painting and replacing windows and anything they can do to upgrade the house.

“I couldn’t believe there was still that nice of people in the world,” Greg said. “I can say thanks all day, but they will never know what it means to me.”

Kevin, the youngest son, lives at home and helps out as much as he can.

“My mom is my world,” Kevin said. “To see her like this is hard. We keep each other going.”

He credits God for allowing her to live and believes she will recover.

“She is a miracle,” he said. “I know what God can do.”

He also wants to thank the community for helping.

“The community helping means a lot and it is a blessing,” Kevin said.

Greg wants to give a special thanks to Summerford Nursing Home in Falkville for taking care of his wife.

“I wish for everybody’s prayers to be with Pam and want her home,” Greg said.

To donate to the O’Neil family, send a donation to Masonic Lodge, Pam O’Neil fund, 3306 Co. Rd. 1352, Cullman, Al 35058.

‰ Tiffany Green can be reached by e-mail at tgreen@cullmantimes.com or by telephone at 734-2131, ext. 221.

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