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Jim Oliver and Shirley McCabe of Point Edward. McCabe, a former girlfriend of Oliver's, has returned to the Lou Gehrig's Disease patient's life, much to the delight of his family. Previously, Oliver's father provided him with round-the-clock care, seven days a week.

Local hero for local family

By CATHY DOBSON The Observer
Local News - Monday, June 18, 2007 Updated @ 11:17:01 PM



POINT EDWARD — Every time Bill Oliver hears his son laugh, he gives thanks to Shirley McCabe.

Not only has she brought love into Jim Oliver’s life, she’s taken on much of his primary care as the 41-year-old struggles with Lou Gehrig’s Disease.

Just when Jim’s family was facing exhaustion from the round-the-clock responsibility for his care, McCabe came along.

“If it weren’t for her, I’d be in the nuthouse,” says Bill.

His son was diagnosed in 2000 with the disease, otherwise known as ALS, a cruelly debilitating illness that has robbed him of most of his muscular body function and will eventually kill him.

When Jim was diagnosed, he was married and living in Corunna.

But several months ago, he moved as a single man to an apartment attached to his father’s house in Point Edward.


Jim requires constant companionship to ensure he doesn’t choke on his own phlegm and to take care of other medical needs.

Professionals cover about six hours of every day but the rest is up to the family, says Bill.

Bill’s a 65-year-old retired mechanic and says he’s never been busier. Until Shirley came along, he and his wheelchair-bound wife weren’t getting a lot of sleep because they never knew when Jim might need help.

“It’s been so tiring,” Bill admitted. “We love him and you do what you have to do.”

But he feels such relief that Shirley has come into Jim’s life — or rather back into Jim’s life.

The two knew one another 20 years ago when they dated. Their daughter Amanda came from that relationship.

“I loved him then and he was my boyfriend. But we were too young,” McCabe said. The two went their separate ways and lost touch until last year when Jim contacted her through MSN on his computer.

That’s his only means of communication now, as he uses a button box to make his computer speak for him.

A few days before Christmas, McCabe went to visit Jim for the first time in years.

“We just got to talking and it went over well,” she said. “I loved him then, I love him now and I’ll always love him.

“These aren’t the best circumstances but it’s all we’ve got.”

Their daughter Amanda is happy to see her parents spending time together again.

McCabe left after that first visit with Jim, promising to come back and help out. Bill hoped she might manage one night a week.

“Boy, was I wrong on that one,” he laughed. “She’s been coming six nights a week and I’m happy, because I was with him seven nights a week before.

“It’s wonderful. It’s unbelievable. I’m finally getting some sleep.”

But best of all, he hears laughter whenever they are together.

“Jim loves life and that’s amazing when you consider his situation,” his father said.

“He laughs a lot more with Shirley around. It’s just great.”
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