I can’t imagine the guts it takes for this guy to face people when I won’t leave the house if I have a cold sore. Hope he can be helped.

Perhaps several surgeries would make improvements. If that is what he wants, I hope that he is able to proceed. Regardless, I am in awe of him. Truely a testament to the old adage of
“It’s whats inside that counts” and “Never judge a book by it’s cover”.
I think he is remarkable. Cudos to James O’Neal. Bravo for refusing to let his physcial deformities deny him his rights to live a happy and productive life.

I would hate to cover my face everytime I went out. Let him alone, he is who he is, so deal with it.

Good for him. I don’t blame anyone that wishies to correct such features, but it’s kinda refreashing to see someone that is as secure as him.

I’m glad to see Safeway stepping up and chipping in. With all of the stories about “evil corporations” these days it is good to see corporate loyalty!

James never has a bad hair day. He puts his best self forward every day. As shocking as his appearance is, people are immediately put at ease when they meet him at the cash register.
Check out his blog-
FriendsOfJamesOneal@blogspot.com

It’s nice to see someone out there going against the grain of mainstream society in this way! While it’s sad to note that the general consensus out there is more along the lines of “you have to look good to be anything”, James’s attitude toward life in general is well worth much applause. Hopefully this day and age might actually learn a good life principle from him!

Thank you for being an inspiration to us all. As a teacher, I have the opportunity to show my students that not everyone is white or black or looks quite the same. We as human beings should show the courtesy of being nice to everyone we meet because you never know if that lasting impression you give will come back to hurt you in the future. Mr. O’Neal is an inspiration because he is not afraid of his difference and the fact that he is willing to show others lets us know that he is also teaching both children and adults to “Never judge a book by it’s cover.”

I think I understand this guy. In 1999 I lost the lower half of my face to cancer. Some months after the surgery, one of my wife’s nurse friends asked how I was doing. Her reply was that I was doing ok, going out for walks, going shopping with her, etc. The friend asked, “Doesn’t he wear a mask?” I was more than offended that I should somehow need one. I couldn’t speak but my written response to the story by my wife would be unprintable here anyway. I’ve endured the stares of thousands, once was in a public building hallway with hundreds of people standing around, all staring at me walking down the center of it. I’ve been accosted by drunks, prodded by the curious and marginalized by the great majority. It’s difficult, yes, but I and Mr. O’Neil have the right to go where everyone else does, and do what they do. Life’s too short to be chained.

It warms my heart to know persons like Mr. O’Neal are comfortable in his own “skin”. Pun not intentionally indended. For those of us born “normal”; there is no guarantee that an accident of sorts could disfigure us too. Our society places too much attention on ones appearances and not enough attention on ones heart and soul. Sadly, most of societies de-formations are in our hearts and souls; and invisible to society except for the ugly performance we give to our neighbors on a daily basis. We would be a much more humble people if we allowed society to see our disfigured hearts and souls, and would probably be more accepting of other persons’ physical (and apparent) differences. My hat is off to you Mr. O’Neal for your willingness to trust and allow your local community the opportunity to get to know you. Thank you for sharing this part of your life with us.

There is a woman in our area who (from outward apperance) sufferes from the same or similar syndrome. It always is a surprise to see how much damage the human body can inflict on itself and still survive. I do not know the woman by name, but I always try to smile and nod if we come in contact. Life is hard enough for “normal” looking folks, I can only imagine how rough it is for these people.

Thanks for the Neurofibromatosis story. I too have NF1 (although, and I am not saying this
in a negative way) to the degree Mr O Neal has it, but mine is very noticeable, and I have
no intention of hiding either. Anyone who wants to discuss it, please contact me, feel free
to, rudestu@gmail.com. Stu Wright, In Orangeburg, SC. Or see me at worg.com.
(The radio station I work for.)…or 803-614-990.
I really want to some day, work fulltime helping people with NF…actaully no if’s about it,
someday I will do it.
Thanks for your time.
Stu Wright.

Good for Mr O Neal. I too have NF , although not to his degree. Mine too is very noticeable.
I hope and pray for the best for him.
Anyone else with NF1 or 2, please contact me. rudestu@gmail.com.
And thank you FOX for covering a story about NF.

Great attitude this dude has on life. When I was six months old, the doctors noticed my left hand growing abnormally large, and told my parents I had neurofibromatosis. When I was two, they updated the diagnosis to localized gigantism… turns out I only had a few of the neurofibromas in my left hand, and it was not a genetic mutation, but a random one. As a result, I’ve had 4 surgeries on my hand before I was 10 (so that the nerves wouldn’t die).

The last time I went to a doctor was a few years back for a physical, and my mom still insisted that I ask him about my hand (shes a good mom, worries a lot about her 28 year old son still), and the doc said that everything looked fine, and that he could fix it with plastic surgery to make it look normal if i wanted. I realized that I was offended by his comment (although I understand he didn’t mean it in a bad way). The way that I look at my left hand, it IS normal. If it were to be changed to look like my right hand… that would be abnormal to me. I’m not ashamed of my left hand, and I love using it as a topic of conversation (you don’t know how many smiles I get when I say I’m the most successful hitchhiker in the area).

I also love using my left hand as a means to get to know others who were born with something ‘abnormal’ about them. Lots of times, they are embarrassed about the way they are, but I like to help make them feel proud of their individuality, and use my left hand as an example.

Anyways, great article, glad to see it tabbed on foxnews.com’s frontpage.

You go James! I’m so proud of you. Where do I donate?

Thanks Fox News for this website. I too have NF1 and for a long time have thought that I have one of the worse cases, but for me, the outward evidence is less obvious than it is for Mr O’Neal. It simply took the vision in my left eye, and I now have a prosthetic, with no tear ducts/ eyelid muscles on that side, so I have to make the effort to clean the eye myself.

This is still a relatively unknown disease. When I was born (1977), so little was known on this disease, that the seasoned, experienced doctors had trouble recognizing it. It took a med school student who was doing his residency to recognize it as his class had recently been studying it.

One thing this article didn’t cover, was one of the outward signs of NF. If a person has 5 or more cafe-au-lait spots (brown birthmarks on the skin) of at least one inch (I think) in diameter, that’s a pretty good indication that NF is present.

Like Mr O’Neal, I have had to learn to live with the stares and questions, mostly from kids. At times it can be discouraging, but by the grace of God go I!

I think he looks strong & brave!! God bless him for continuing on and having a great daily life and courage to work. He represents strength, courage & kindness….Again, God Bless & Carry On with your Head held high!!!

Wow! What an amazingly courageous guy! Good for him and God bless him. How nice that at least some people can accept a person for who they are and not what packaging they’re in. I truly admire this man.

My son worked at Safeway with James for almost two years. James was on of his favorite people there. My son would say that he was never mean, always funny and willing to explain thisng to you. My son was 16 when he started there and I belive James had a big impact on how my son now perceives the world and the people in it. Don’t forget to contribute if you can.

my daughter has NF1 and has an optic glioma due to it . people don’t realize that this disease not only effects bone deformation but also can cause severe learning disibilities , i hope that his courage in sharing his story will raise awareness with helping people with this terrible disease. Kudos to you KOMO for sharing his story and bringing light onto NF. Thankyou Mr. O’Neal,God bless you and good luck with getting your surgeries.

I have lost a hell of a lot of respect for Foxnews regarding this. I don’t agree that this man is “horribly disfigured”. He’s playing the hand that was dealt to him and does not have a mean bone in him. He’s a guy who has most likely laughed off people’s insults and just told them to shove off! If you think that this was a good idea to give this guy national fame based on a disability, you are truely sick.

And I do have a connection to this as I live within walking distance of where James has worked for several years. I have seen him, met him, been helped by him and not once has he ever been anything but polite.

Foxnews apparently decided to use this story to simply get ratings and I actually feel sorry for James being treated as though he is a circus freak.

Why Fox? Why?

I had a family friend growing up who suffered from an intense case of NF. Our families hosted countless fund raisers on her and others’ behalf during her life. Numerous surgeries and travel to the best hospitals in the country were just part of her and her family’s life. She lived a victorious life graduating from Texas A&M and involved in her sorrority before she passed on. She was just as courageous as this gentleman and an ispiration to all of us. Good Luck to him!

I suffer from NF type 1. I have dealt with many internal diseases and medical problems because of NF. I commend Mr. O’Neal and his outlook on life. That’s awesome to see that kind of spirit. I truly wish that more people who deal with less than he does would “chin up” and make what they can out of things. God bless Mr. O’Neal!

‘Elephant Man’ Refuses to Hide From Facial Deformity

That’s the headline on Foxnews.com today. I don’t honestly think Fox News intended to exploit this amazing man for ratings. I, personally, took a look at the story, was incredibly moved by it, and am going to donate. With all the death and destruction and deception and damage they have to report on these days, this kind of news is uplifting and refreshing.

Good for him,I’m glad that having that diesease does’nt get him down

So glad he does’nt beat himself up over it.He has to be a very strong and proud person,Im glad it does’nt get him down

Is there a way to donate to the fund that will help cover the cost of Mr. O’Neal’s surgeries? I would like to contribute - and I’m sure many others would like to as well.

My mom also suffers from NF type 1. She’ll be 59 this year.

NF can also cause learning disabilities, as my mom is dyslexic.

Adults dealing with the condition is difficult, but I can only imagine dealing with it as a child as my mom did. Because of her learning disabilities, my mom was stuck in special ed classes. That coupled with her condition caused her to be the subject of lots of ridicule from other kids. She had a very lonely childhood. Her only real friend was her boxer dog as she was shunned by the other kids.

Knowing my the life my mom’s led, I consider her one my heroes in life, as she’s still managed to be one of the happiest, kindest, most loving people I know.

This particular condition is also an “autosomal dominant” genetic condition, meaning it can be passed from mother to child, as the mothers carry the genetic mutation. Unfortunately, my brother inherited it from her, although not at the same level as her. He didn’t have any learning disabilities, but the older you get, the more tumors you get.

Also, another reason surgery is generally frowned upon to remove the tumors is due to the fact that chances are the tumors will grow back. My mom had surgery not too long ago anyway to remove some of the more prominent tumors. She won’t talk about it, but I know that she’s very sensitive about her appearance (how could you not be).

I’ve known a woman that had somewhat a similar epidemic but she had it on her legs, I was only 10 or 11 years old when I met her and I was scared to even look at her when she would approach me cause she only lived a couple of houses down from me. But after I met her and she started talking to me everything changed and I started feeling comfortable around her. she taught me a good lesson in life and about myself. I will never forget that experience, so Mr. Oneal consider yourself as a teacher of life instead of a tragedy but of course you already know that, Your proud of who you are. Hopefully you raise enough money for your surgery and good luck. God bless!

I wanted to say bravo for everyone involved in this and for Foxnews for putting this online. I think Mr. O’Neal is wonderfully handsome inside and out. My daughter has NF1 and is a lovely 15 year old. There is also a lovely woman who lives in town who is also ‘disfigured’ by NF and she’s precious. I hope you do a follow-up story. And I hope more people will look at the NF websites and see what they can do to be involved in finding a cure for this genetic disease.

Thanks!

I THINK ONEAL IS AMAZING I HAVE AGOOD FRIEND THAT IS HANDYCAPED BUT HE IS LIKE ONEAL HE JUST WANTS TO BE TREATED LIKE REST OF US NORMAL MY BEST WISHES FOR HIM WISH THERE WHERE MOR PEOPLE IN THE WORLD LIKE ONEAL

This young man is amazing!! I admire his courage. He is truly an inspiration to me. Best to you.

I’m a friend of James.

(I’m also married to the woman who started the fundraising efforts). The world can rest assured that James is pretty comfortable in his “own skin”. He’s an ardent SeaHawks fan. He loves to golf. He’s a devoted son to an aging father. He works hard, is quiet yet friendly. Katie and I have known James for seven years.

Katie only started the fund raising after talking privately with James to makes sure he wanted to be helped. Helping people is what she’s about, and James is absolutely someone deserving of help. Knowing him, she recognized that while he’d grown accustomed and comfortable with his appearance, there were some activities and things he ought to be able to do from which he is hindered due to the deformities. Why not at least try to help? So she did.

Sometimes, we grow so accustomed to the status quo that we don’t think about the possibilities.

I’m excited about the possibilities for James. I’m grateful for the outpouring of help on his behalf. Thanks to FoxNews and the other news oranizations and websites that have picked up Jame’s story and are helping to make it possible to lift a neighbor’s burden just a little.

My niece has NF1 and she is 14 years old. This school year has been a hard one for her and she will graduate from high school thank God to the program at her school. My niece handles her condition with grace I think. She has seizures with her NF1, some learning disabilities, her spine curves and legs are bowed a bit. She also has headaches. Her last doctor visit when her parents took her to her doctor and they thought she would have to have chemotherapy for a tumor that was growing it turns out a miracle by God her body is adjusting to the condition and she is growing blood vessels so it turns out she does not have to have treatment. It turns out that estrogen fuels tumor growth. May God Bless James and his future surgeries that he attains his dreams. She started out with the cafe- spots on her body. It is my prayer that she and others with NF1 and NF2 and other conditions related to it that there is research to come up with a cure very soon. Good luck to you James. I will pray for you.

Praise the Lord that someone has finally brought this unfortunate disease to the public’s awareness. My sister ,who is 56 years old, has Nuerofiboramtosis. We just called them her “bumps” all of our lives until we learned the “official” name. She, just like James, has had to go through her whole life with people staring at her, etc. She is absolutely AMAZING with her outlook and fabulously optomistic attitude, considering that her ENTIRE body is covered with various size bumps associated with NF. She even tells the little kids in line at the grocery store, who are staring at her, that “it’s okay, do you want to touch one?” . My sister will neve fully know how much I admire her and love her for coping so beatutifully and gracefully with an affliction that 99% of the world’s population could never grasp. I love you Cindy Galt— YOU ARE MY HERO!!! And of course, you rock , too, James. You WILL get your surgery!!

God Bless him. I hope he can get the help he needs. I love his attitude. I wish I could be as gutsy as he is.

God bless you, James. You have touched my heart in the warmest way! Thank you!!

Instead of resorting to reconstructive surgery, I firmly believe James should resort to divine healing. The ongoing Lakeland Florida Healing Revival have brought creative miracles and healing to people afflicted with all sorts of deformities and illnesses such as tumors, cancers, hepatitis, COPD, MS, HIV, etc. For the last 50+ days, people bound in wheelchairs, paralyzed, terminal ill with cancer and many other cases have been reportedly healed. Even people raised from the dead. Live broadcast can be seen on GODtv channel every night and online through freshfire.ca. With Jesus nothing is impossible!! He is the same yeterday, today and forever.

We love James! It’s his confident attitude that makes the difference. After you meet him once, you are not uncomfortable about his condition in the least, because he is such a wonderful person. My kids have always loved him, too. My son, Alex, especially adored James when we lived near that Safeway. When he was at the age where you worry about frank questions they make that might embarrass, his only question about James was, “Mommy, why does James wear an eyepatch–is he a pirate? (because little boys love pirates!). Kudos to everyone who participates in this effort!

I pity this poor guy but not for the reasons you may think.
If you live in a 3rd world country you get the surgery for free!
The world is not fair.

It’s so refreshing to see someone that isn’t ashamed to suffer from a disfigurement. I had a very dear friend that was born with a small facial deformity. She went through years of plastic surgery and was still never satisfied with her appearance. Thank God the last eyelid surgery in Sydney she had finally raised her confidence enough to lay off the plastic surgery for awhile. You should be proud of yourself Mr. O’Neal for having the courage to accept yourself the way you are!!

My mother suffers from Neurofibroma (NF1), it is not as bad as James, but she does have noticable small round “flesh like” tumors all over her body. My mother is beautiful not just on the outside but on the inside as well. I was lucky growing up, my mom was an inspiration to not just myself but to my girlfriends as well, they loved being around her and never saw what others may have stared at because she looked “different” in a strangers eyes. My mom was always there with encouragement for me and my girlfriends, if my friends and I were going out they asked if “mom” was coming too.
I do not have the noticeable “flesh like tumors” but do have the freckling and the Café-au-lait marks on some areas of my body. I have elected to not have children for fear of the child suffering from severe health problems.
My mother is my hero, she has overcome many obstacles from my brother suffering from NF1 and epilepsy to an abusive marriage, and sadly society being very cruel. Through it all she always has a smile, a hug, wonderful advice and being my best friend. I want society to understand just because someone may not be what beauty is “supposed” to be on the outside take the time and know the person. My friends love my mom and consider her if not their mom, she is their adopted mom.
We all have a unique trait that makes us different and I am happy my mom, like James chose to embrace who she is. It doesn’t mean that her feelings do not get hurt from time to time due to the cruelness of the uneducated but she still holds her head high. Oh, and she dresses the coolest, styling and still rocking at 60!
To everyone who looks “different” embrace it, for you are the one that is unique, the people you meet you touch their lives. Thank you James for educating America and the world.
Mom, I Love You and thank you for making me a better person and for being my best friend, your beauty is contagious! For my brother, you amaze me with your intelligence and the ability to see the world as something new, the entire world could learn from my mom, brother and James.
Thank You!

I am working with James and I think that he is cool. He is always helpful. GO JAMES!

I wouldn’t wish that type of affliction on Satan himself! My Prayers go out to this man…. and others similarly affected!

I have NF1 also, and while some people who have NF may look different than some other people I don’t feel I suffer from it at all. CTF.org is a good site for more info on NF.

Brad

hope he fixes it, but should have help from others if possible

Being the mother of a five and half year old who has NF1 and already been through major surgeries and heading in to another one in about six weeks, I know what it is to be stared at and talked about. My son has been very aware of how he looks because he sees his face everyday in the mirrow and people never fail to point out to him that he looks different.
My husband Paul runs marathons to raise money and awareness about this disease, you also can become apart of the NF team as we work to wake people up to something that isn’t about race , colour or sex. This desease doesn’t care who you are, your family can be touched by it.
I encourage my son and other young men and women I meet to hold their heads up high and look people in the eye. They have nothing to be a shamed off, they are normal and human too. It’s time we started to treat them as so.

If I was buying peanuts, I would not go through his line.

Two shoppers in his line. One says to the other; ” No wonder there’s no bottled water on the shelves”.

help

I knew of James through the auto racing community but had never met him (James has been involved with a couple of different local teams crewing for them) When I read the articles about him I felt compelled to help. I don’t have a lot of money so I did the next best thing and volunteered to help at fundraisers and it has become one of the most fulfilling things in my life! My purpose for posting this is that you don’t have to have money to help; your time is just as important. Even if it is something as simple as forwarding the link http://www.friendsofjamesoneal.com to everyone in your address book. Please help this incredible man get what he deserves!
James you are truly an inspiration in life, THANK YOU!