Comments on: Modern Day Elephant Man

By: Rayce

Rayce — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 18:19:15 +0000

I was so shocked to see James up here on Neatorama. I live down the street and shop there all the time. He is such a sweet guy who really doesn't care if you look at him or not. I've seen people flat out avoid his line so there are 10 people waiting in other lines and he is there himself. I make it a point to always go through his line because people are just stupid or avoiding it. He is just doing his job and can't help something he was born with.

I'll have to go make a donation.

By: Jimbo

Jimbo — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 13:07:21 +0000

I think he is very brave. I would kill myself if I had a giant nut sack growing out of my face.

By: S-r-ex

S-r-ex — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 12:32:56 +0000

I have NF myself and I've met a woman how also has a fibroma (that lump) in her face. She was actually in her late 20's, but looked far older, more like her 60's. Haven't seen her in years, though.

But I guess I can consider myself lucky, I got my fibroma on the back of my right femur. But it's quite large, so an operation is considered for me too, but only if it turns into a serious pain, which it isn't(yet?).

But just to clear things up: Not everybody get's the fibroma in their faces (like me), and it's not the fibroma itself that is the disease (if you can call it that). Read more: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neurofibromatosis_type_I

By: James O'Neal

James O'Neal — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 03:14:27 +0000

I'M MELTING!! UGHAAAAAAaaaa...

By: matt

matt — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 21:54:47 +0000

I'm going to be honest and say that I wouldn't want to look at that while I'm buying food.

By: Robert Barr

Robert Barr — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 18:38:31 +0000

Fantastic story!

I agree, Safeway WTF, if for no other reason the press alone would have paid for the effing surgery 10 times over...Morons!

Give this guy a break and get him fixed up!

By: kid_icarus

kid_icarus — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 17:48:37 +0000

i wonder if he will still work at safeway after the surgery....

By: Tiny Dancer

Tiny Dancer — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 13:50:00 +0000

I checked out the site. He apparently needed 50 thousand for the surgery and recovery (he had numerous surgeries before he was 18, but the insurance companies won't fund any more as they say it's a preexisting condition). As of yesterday's tally, they've raised over 67 thousand dollars and his first appointment is later this month.

*sniff* I love it when the good guys win.

By: worthless monkies

worthless monkies — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 12:21:48 +0000

this comment will be forgotten, along with all of your short and boring lives, given enough time

we are all worthless monkeys

By: sam

sam — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 08:17:29 +0000

Hey Safeway - how about springing for a little health insurance and helping this guy get fixed up?

I mean, he's courageous and all, but everyone wants to fit in.

By: Justin

Justin — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 04:46:41 +0000

I'm glad he is not letting his disability consume him. I hope that things go well for him and future and is able to get the surgery done.

By: Christophe

Christophe — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 03:26:24 +0000

Congrats as well to Safeway who took the "risk" to go against conventional un-wisdom...

By: linnea

linnea — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 02:55:29 +0000

Wow, what a courageous man. I am so grateful that there are folks out there who still have common decency, and who are willing to get to know him on his own terms instead of being cruel to him for being different. Mr. O'Neal, I hope that you can get your surgery, and I hope that you continue to find the world to be full of kind, loving, supportive people. I also hope you can tell the cruel jerks of the world to simply sod off. What an amazing story. Huuuuuugs!

By: Anthony

Anthony — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 02:47:58 +0000

Looks like a nice guy. Plus, eye patch FTW