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Man with ALS doesn't let disease stop him from helping others

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When life slams you hard against a brick wall, you generally have two choices: fold into yourself and succumb to the pain and anger, or move past that stage and find your own peace with the situation.

Those sing-song words don't come close to conveying the soul-wrenching process, though.

When Joe Zunic was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis -- Lou Gehrig's disease -- he understood he was receiving a death sentence of the most agonizing kind. His body would relentlessly shut down, cell by cell, with excruciating slowness -- worse still because he was, at the time, 29 years old and otherwise in peak strength and health.

Now he's almost 33, and he can communicate only with a beam from a device on his forehead zeroing in on a specific letter on keyboard -- then, using the little bit of muscle control that remains in his right leg, to press a pedal, thereby adding that letter to others on a display screen. Creating sentences that way is an arduous process, but it's how he has been able to arrange this year's Zooneyfest.

The event started three years ago, when friends wanted to throw a benefit for him. No way, he had said. He had always been a giver and never a taker, and he wasn't about to change now.

His friends finally wore him down by agreeing to create an annual event that would benefit somebody different every year. This year, local leukemia victim and new father Jonathan Brown, and the American Red Cross, Southern Tier chapter will share the proceeds of the event.

As www.zooneyfest.com succinctly puts it: The third annual Zooneyfest will be held on Saturday, Sept. 15. There will be a blood drive from 12 to 5 p.m. in the main building of the Country Pines. Although walk-ins will be accepted, pre-registration will enable them to staff the blood drive appropriately. That pre-registration can be done through the Web site or by calling 743-3327 or 785-4192.

In addition to the blood drive, the Zooneyman has lined up these attractions:

* A classic car cruise/bike run.

* Live music from The Faze, Morgan String Band, Hi-Way Fruit Market, Gordie Gottlieb, Legacy and Frostbit Blue.

* Eats will include two roasted pigs, Dave House's chicken barbeque, wood-fired-oven pizzas, as well as the standard dogs, burgers and baked goods.

* The Pirates of the Susquehanna will bring some Jimmy Buffet-style fun to the event, serving cotton candy and other treats.

* Antique tractor show and hayrides.

* Fred Hazzlet from Riverview Massage will give massages.

* Silent auction of sports memorabilia, 50/50 raffle, dollar raffle tent and more.

Maybe the biggest attraction of all will be Joe Zunic himself.

"He has been very inspirational to all of us, not just family," says his aunt, Debbie Zunic of Johnson City. "He has touched a lot of people's lives by his strength and courage and not giving in to despair."
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Thirty-two-year-old Joe Zunic of Maine, who was diagnosed with ALS at age 29, communicates by way of a machine by Dynavox that translates his typed words into "spoken" words.

IF YOU GO
The Third Annual Zooneyfest, which will benefit local leukemia victim and new father Jonathan Brown as well as the American Red Cross Southern Tier Chapter, will be held from 12 p.m. to end of donations on Sept. 15 at the Country Pines, 1660 Union Center Maine Highway in the Town of Union.


Tickets are $10 in advance, $15 on the day of the event.


Send ticket orders to 412 Larue Ave., Endwell, NY, 13760 (make checks payable to Zooneyfest) or purchase tickets at these locations: Cacialli's Auto, Route 26, Maine (862-4524), Creative Cuts, 113 E. Main St., Endicott (754-4430), Park Manor Wines & Spirits, 840 Hooper Road, Endwell (757-9769).





And in the inimitable words of the event's Web site, www.zooneyfest.com:


"Attention all Zooneys: We are hosting a blood drive for the American Red Cross ... from 12 - 5 p.m. in the main building at the Country Pines. Although walk-ins are welcome, they will most likely have to wait for a long period of time to donate or even could be turned away ... additional staff can be requested to handle additional donors. To make an appointment to donate blood at Zooneyfest on Sept. 15, contact Sue Elliott at (607) 743-3327 and, if necessary, leave a message or dial (607) 785-4192.


I WANT TO SET A BLOOD DONATION RECORD!!! SO CALL SUE ASAP!!!"

http://www.pressconnects.com/apps/pb...08220304/1005/