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WZTV FOX 17 - Top Stories
Very rarely do you meet someone with both a devastating disease, yet a contagious, ever present smile. Her name is Neva Gronowski - a business analyst from Smyrna. As FOX17's Stacy Case shows us, she's also an avid bowler and she's determined not to let ALS steal her joy. Every Friday night, you'll find Gronowski at the Smyrna bowling alley instructing husband Bob on just how to position the ball.
"She actually counts the boards from the dots that are there," says Bob Gronowski. "And she's able to pick up spares and strikes."
"He's my everything," says Neva Gronowski. "He always has been. He brings out the best in me."
The 46 year old started showing symptoms of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis 4 years ago - about the time the couple was married.
"Neva is a jokester," says Bob. "She'd fall and I'd run around the car looking for her and she'd say I'm checking the undercarriage. She's dealt with it so well. It's horrible to watch."
The motor neuron disease shuts down muscle function, but ALS doesn't affect the 5 senses or the brain - so, Neva is still working.
"As you can tell, I'm the brawn of the relationship, she's the brain," says Bob. "She's a business analyst. She writes code."
That is computer code for Cinram Manufacturing.
"I design and write code based on customer requests," says Neva. "With my thumb."
It's the only thing that still moves. Bob props her hand with a pill bottle.
"During the day I like to feel that I'm fulfilling a need," says Neva. "I mean a lot of people depend on what I do."
The ever present smile says it all.
"We've prayed for a merry heart and that's what we get," says Bob. "I don't think you have to bring out a forensic kit to dust for the prints of God on our relationship. I'm willing to take care of her. Would I rather dance with her than have to cut her nails? Sure. But, I'll take it. I'll take it. She's amazing."
In about 10% of cases, ALS is caused by a genetic defect. In the remaining cases, the cause is unknown. Neva's story of courage is just one of many you will see during the MDA Labor Day Telethon on FOX17. The telethon will begin at 7pm Sunday night.
"She actually counts the boards from the dots that are there," says Bob Gronowski. "And she's able to pick up spares and strikes."
"He's my everything," says Neva Gronowski. "He always has been. He brings out the best in me."
The 46 year old started showing symptoms of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis 4 years ago - about the time the couple was married.
"Neva is a jokester," says Bob. "She'd fall and I'd run around the car looking for her and she'd say I'm checking the undercarriage. She's dealt with it so well. It's horrible to watch."
The motor neuron disease shuts down muscle function, but ALS doesn't affect the 5 senses or the brain - so, Neva is still working.
"As you can tell, I'm the brawn of the relationship, she's the brain," says Bob. "She's a business analyst. She writes code."
That is computer code for Cinram Manufacturing.
"I design and write code based on customer requests," says Neva. "With my thumb."
It's the only thing that still moves. Bob props her hand with a pill bottle.
"During the day I like to feel that I'm fulfilling a need," says Neva. "I mean a lot of people depend on what I do."
The ever present smile says it all.
"We've prayed for a merry heart and that's what we get," says Bob. "I don't think you have to bring out a forensic kit to dust for the prints of God on our relationship. I'm willing to take care of her. Would I rather dance with her than have to cut her nails? Sure. But, I'll take it. I'll take it. She's amazing."
In about 10% of cases, ALS is caused by a genetic defect. In the remaining cases, the cause is unknown. Neva's story of courage is just one of many you will see during the MDA Labor Day Telethon on FOX17. The telethon will begin at 7pm Sunday night.
Friday, August 31 2012, 08:27 PM CDT
Tennessee News
Man pleads guilty to Memphis officer's murder
May 21, 2013 22:22 GMT
MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) -- A former death row inmate is set to be released from prison after he pleaded guilty to second-degree murder of a Memphis police officer.
Shelby County District Attorney Amy Weirich said Tuesday that she has accepted Timothy McKinney's guilty plea.
McKinney was convicted of first-degree murder for the fatal shooting of Officer Don Williams. The officer was killed outside a comedy club in December 1997.
McKinney appealed and won a new trial, which ended with a deadlocked jury. A third trial earlier this year also ended in a hung jury.
The Commercial Appeal reports that McKinney was sentenced to 15 years in prison. Since he's already served more than 15 years -- including 11 on death row -- McKinney will be released this week.
Williams' family opposed the settlement.
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