John Chatting on Ham Radio
Westport, Massachusetts ~ 2014
Oil on Canvas
30" x 24"
John Walsh first learned that he had NF in 1957. It was that year that he had his first tumor removed. It was on his collar bone. Caused by a spontaneous gene mutation, he was the only one in his family to have it. Over the years he would have several have more remove from his body.
In 1983 John was having a problem with tingling in his hands and weakness grabbing things. He went to several doctors and they could not find anything wrong with him. He knew something was not right and was able to get into Mass. General Hospital to get checked out. John had a tumor between C1 and C2 on his upper spine. They told him that they had to operate right away. John could move the wrong way and the tumor could cut off some major nerves in his neck area. After the operation John had very limited use of his arms and hands. Because of this he had to give up his job as a firefighter and E.M.T. He also had to leave the National Guard. All that John loved doing was gone from his life.
In 2010, John’s son, Patrick, died from NF related cancer when he was only 33 yrs old. Patrick use to say “Keep up the Fight.” and that is what John and his family have been doing ever since. The Walshes have been very active at NF events in the New England area.
In 1983 John was having a problem with tingling in his hands and weakness grabbing things. He went to several doctors and they could not find anything wrong with him. He knew something was not right and was able to get into Mass. General Hospital to get checked out. John had a tumor between C1 and C2 on his upper spine. They told him that they had to operate right away. John could move the wrong way and the tumor could cut off some major nerves in his neck area. After the operation John had very limited use of his arms and hands. Because of this he had to give up his job as a firefighter and E.M.T. He also had to leave the National Guard. All that John loved doing was gone from his life.
In 2010, John’s son, Patrick, died from NF related cancer when he was only 33 yrs old. Patrick use to say “Keep up the Fight.” and that is what John and his family have been doing ever since. The Walshes have been very active at NF events in the New England area.