This is the video that was played at nephew Ben McNeal's Celebration Service, 2 pm Tuesday, December 15th. That would have been his 22nd birthday, and he wanted a PARTY!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=otSkYHMSbrE
Friday, December 25, 2009
Ben McNeal Day
A wealthy fellow in NC heard of Ben's illness a few months ago at a prayer meeting, and had this video made about my wife Lisa's nephew in Wake Forest, NC, Ben McNeal. After his mom died of ALS in 1990, his dad Don married my wife's sister Paula. They moved to Wake Forest with oldest son Daniel so that dad Don could work on a degree at Southeastern Seminary.
In 2008, Ben's older Marine brother Daniel was sent home from his 2nd tour in Iraq, having developed the disease. Daniel died in June of 2008, leaving behind a wife and stepson. His decline followed the 6th month pattern of his mom's.
In the summer of 2009, Ben was diagnosed with ALS after beginning to lose muscle control in his left arm... in November he had no function in his left arm or hand, and had lost movement in his right hand. Ben would have been 22 on his birthday December 15th. There was very little that he could do for himself, physically.... BUT: He did become a source of encouragement to those around him!!
Several church and community friends rallied around him, befriended him, and did special events for him. A special "Ben McNeal Day" was held November 5th in Wake Forest, with police escort, a luncheon, high school band, red carpet, and Chic-fil-A for all! That night, Ben and 20 friends were taken by limo to a "Casting Crowns" concert in Raleigh, all with backstage passes to meet the band, and 6 with front row seats...
This is a video that the sponsor of the "Ben McNeal Day" made to be played at the special luncheon. Dad Don speaks first about the effects of ALS, and death of his first wife, and oldest son; then Ben shares.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=szgy--GMuF4
In 2008, Ben's older Marine brother Daniel was sent home from his 2nd tour in Iraq, having developed the disease. Daniel died in June of 2008, leaving behind a wife and stepson. His decline followed the 6th month pattern of his mom's.
In the summer of 2009, Ben was diagnosed with ALS after beginning to lose muscle control in his left arm... in November he had no function in his left arm or hand, and had lost movement in his right hand. Ben would have been 22 on his birthday December 15th. There was very little that he could do for himself, physically.... BUT: He did become a source of encouragement to those around him!!
Several church and community friends rallied around him, befriended him, and did special events for him. A special "Ben McNeal Day" was held November 5th in Wake Forest, with police escort, a luncheon, high school band, red carpet, and Chic-fil-A for all! That night, Ben and 20 friends were taken by limo to a "Casting Crowns" concert in Raleigh, all with backstage passes to meet the band, and 6 with front row seats...
This is a video that the sponsor of the "Ben McNeal Day" made to be played at the special luncheon. Dad Don speaks first about the effects of ALS, and death of his first wife, and oldest son; then Ben shares.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=szgy--GMuF4
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