Karen's Corner – Stephen Pallotta and the power of prayer

By Karen Vachon
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SCARBOROUGH (Jan 29, 2007): Ask people if they believe in the power of prayer, and you’ll get a variety of answers.



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It’s common to hear stories that suggest that if you pray, you’ll get what you want.

But for those who don’t get what they want, they’ll tell you that prayer is a worthless waste of time, so why bother? Several years ago, I heard something that stuck with me: God doesn’t always give you want; God gives you what you need. At times, this is a hard dose of reality. Another friend advised me that life is sacred, so search for God in it. God desires a happy ending for each of us. So if you’re living a nightmare, search for God in the story line. Easier said than done?

Imagine being struck with a mysterious illness. Over a period of two years, you become totally handicapped. No longer able to work, walk or drive a car, your active life suddenly becomes inactive and, confined to a wheelchair, a family provider begins to feel more like a family burden. Life has taken a turn that you didn’t see coming, and you weren’t prepared for. Where do you turn? How will you get through all of this?

Such is the story of Scarborough resident Stephen Pallotta, a member of the Scarborough Fire Department and paramedics. A few years ago, Stephen mysteriously became ill. Struck with a high fever, he thought he had the flu; however, he didn’t get better. He became weak and clumsy, and one day, he lost his grip on a hammer, which dropped to the ground. He developed a limp, and needed to wear a brace to walk. His condition got progressively worse and eventually landed him in a wheelchair, unable to work.

While doctors were mystified, Stephen’s family turned to prayer. His conditioned worsened. When he received a diagnosis of Lou Gehrig’s (ALS), he cried with his family, for it would only be a matter of time. Then he got his wits about him, planned his funeral and begged his family to pray, and pray harder. Stephen’s sister prayed, and her heart said: your brother will be healed.

The Portland Fire Department raised money to help Stephen’s family. The family continued to pray. Mid-November, the phone rang. A woman in Buxton had heard of Stephen. His story was strikingly similar to her daughter’s. A doctor in New York was able to provide a diagnosis when all other doctors had considered her illness helpless. Her health was restored, no thanks to her health insurance, though. The whole thing was funded out of network. The doctor, an infectious disease specialist, had a private practice in New York. The woman advised Stephen to see this doctor.

Stephen was reluctant to take the money that had been raised for his family because they would need it when he died. He feared the money would be spent only to confirm that his condition was helpless. His sister remembered the words that spoke to her heart, and Stephen decided to go to the doctor on Dec. 22.

During a three-hour visit with the doctor, who learned the progression of his illness, touched Stephen’s hands and noted the persistent high fever, the symptoms suggested that Stephen had an infection and not ALS. His infection, he believed, was likely a combination of Lyme disease and something else. Twenty vials of blood were drawn. Tests came back on Dec. 28 identifying Q fever and Lyme disease, both caused by bacteria. The news was good. Stephen could get better. Despite the findings, insurance wouldn’t pay.

The family prayed and asked the community for help. An Italian dinner and auction fundraiser, pulled together by the family in two weeks, was held last Saturday at St. Maximilian Kolbe church. Ingredients donated by the community helped Stephen’s family prepare the meal from scratch: 1,200 meatballs, 80 pounds of cooked pasta, 60 gallons of homemade sauce, salad, homemade breads and cookies. Community response was overwhelming, with more than 400 people packing the parish hall. The band Double Trouble band played for free. Area businesses donated more than 200 items for the auction.

The tables set included information on Lyme disease and Q fever. An infectious energy of love and compassion filled the room as people opened their hearts and their wallets to benefit Stephen. God was present in the people gathered. Stephen took the microphone to express his heartfelt gratitude. He commented that prior to becoming ill, his wife had prayed that he would have more time at home with the family. Stephen’s advice: Be careful what you pray for!

Prayer may be the only solution to the health-insurance nightmare. Stephen’s suffering has revealed a heartless and ungodly system of hopelessness and despair. The happy ending is in the power of the people – you and me. Perhaps it is this simple prayer: Love God with all your heart; love your neighbor as yourself.

I pray that Stephen’s health will be restored so that he can enjoy quality time with his family and friends. He deserves nothing less.