[BobbyB]

Online generosity drives ALS patient's dreams

Jim Matheny Updated: 3/22/2009 11:42:59 AM Posted: 3/22/2009 12:37:10 AM



Don Voorhis remembers the exact moment he first saw his dream car: the legendary Ford Cobra.

"It was 1964 and there was a Cobra in this garage," said Voorhis. "I played hooky half the day and sat in the car, just daydreaming. I've wanted one ever since."

Original Cobras are extremely rare and virtually unobtainable. In 2007, after his wife of more than 40 years died, Voorhis decided to pursue his dream car and happiness by ordering a Cobra replica kit to build the vehicle from scratch.

Building the automotive love of his life went on the backburner in early 2008 when the unexpected happened. Resigned to be a widower for the rest of his life, Voorhis found love in his current wife Cheryl. Cheryl, like Don, had recently lost her spouse of more than 40 years to illness.

"People had tried to set us up, but neither one of us were interested in dating again," said Cheryl. "Then we had a couple of chance encounters and fell in love."

Cheryl and Don married in August 2008. Shortly thereafter, Don resumed his efforts to complete the Cobra kit in his garage. Cheryl and Don attended a Cobra car show in Ohio to see others' handiwork.

"Every time he would hear the roar of the motor, he would get excited," Cheryl said. "I want him to have that dream because his dream is my dream."

All the while, Don noticed some physical changes. He grew fatigued, short of breath, and experienced slurred speech.

"The slurred speech was noticeable because I would talk to my children on the phone and they would ask if I had been celebrating with a few Manhattans," said Don.

The symptoms were a harbinger of something far from celebratory. Don soon suspected he had ALS, commonly referred to as Lou Gehrig's disease. Doctors confirmed the diagnosis in early February.

There is no cure for ALS, a cruel disease that robs its victims of all physical abilities while leaving the mind intact. The disease essentially leaves patients completely paralyzed but completely aware of their surroundings, a prisoner in their own bodies.

"We both were given a second chance at love," said Cheryl. "Before the diagnosis was confirmed, I refused to believe he had ALS. I love him so much and could not imagine this happening to such a good person."

"I was devastated and gave up on life," said Don. "I was no longer physically able to work on the car and decided to sell it."

Don had visited the site www.ffcobra.com on a nightly basis when he began the project. The site is an online community for Cobra enthusiasts. Now Don was visiting the site to sell his unfinished replica kit.

"We discouraged him from selling it," said Greg Marsh, a member of the online community who lives in Knoxville. "We wanted him to realize his dream and the best way was we volunteered to come and build his car for him."

"I was blown away," said Don. "I had about 100 people respond, telling me not to give up and volunteering to come to Tennessee from across the country and help build the car."

More than 20 people who were previously complete strangers have visited Don from across the country to rebuild his dreams piece-by-piece. One member of the site bought an airline ticket and traveled from California to assist the project.

"This guy gave an entire week of his life to travel here and work on my car," Don said. "Now I've forged a friendship with people I never expected to meet."

Cheryl said Don was initially reluctant to accept the online community's generosity.

"To see him make the online post to sell his car absolutely broke my heart. So when they volunteered, I told Don to let these people help him. Even if he can't build the car himself, at least he'll be able to drive it or ride in it," said Cheryl.

Don said Greg Marsh's willingness to coordinate the project was a key factor in deciding to accept others' assistance.

"I was afraid we'd have too many people here at a time. There are only so many people who can work on a car at a time and it had the potential to be more headache than it was worth." Don added, "But for Greg to coordinate everything and schedule people in an efficient way convinced me to keep building my dream car."

The volunteers have already completed the frame and much of the wiring. The group is awaiting the arrival of the engine to begin its installation. Marsh said he expects everything but the paint job to be completed in the next month or two. Don said he has not decided on the color.

"Our three granddaughters are trying to get me to paint it pink," said Don. "I haven't decided on a color, but I know it will not be pink. Even though it is beautiful, I also know it will not be blue just because I have seen too many other replicas that color and I want to be a bit different."

Don and Cheryl Voorhis said the entire experience has been humbling and remarkable. As life leads the newlyweds down an uncertain path neither expected, the altruistic acts of complete strangers will soon allow them to navigate the twists and turns in the car of Don's dreams.

"It certainly renews your faith in mankind when there's so much bad going on in the world. For these guys to do that, it is just amazing." Don added, "If I get to the point where I cannot drive, Cheryl may have to drive me around. But I can still listen to the pipes."



http://www.wbir.com/news/local/story...=81995&catid=2