WATERBURY - Bob Veillette can see, hear, smell, think and feel pain, but he is paralyzed from the nose down, fed by a feeding tube that provides him the nourishment he needs, but leaves him feeling constantly famished.
WATERBURY â Bob Veillette can see, hear, smell, think and feel pain, but he is paralyzed from the nose down, fed by a feeding tube that provides him the nourishment he needs, but leaves him feeling constantly famished.
He communicates with family and friends only with great difficulty, using eye movements.
Before a massive stroke 16 months ago that left him with this rare condition known as âlocked-in syndrome,â Veillette, 62, was an avid distance runner who was well known in Greater Waterbury and the Naugatuck Valley as an accomplished pianist, performing for numerous charitable causes.
A Naugatuck resident, Veillette was also a respected journalist, working at the Republican-American newspaper in Waterbury for more than 40 years as a reporter, city editor and most recently, managing editor.
To help pay for Veilletteâs ongoing medical expenses, which run into the thousands each month, his former co-workers are holding the second Bob Veillette 5K Road Race and Walk on Sunday, September 16.
More than 500 people participated in last yearâs race and walk, which raised more than $42,000. That money helped bring Veillette home in October 2006, after six months in hospitals where he showed little progress. His family is still using whatâs left of that money to help pay for his ongoing care. They are also using it to try to buy a van that will allow them to drive Veillette places without hiring an ambulance.
The second Bob Veillette 5K Road Race and Walk will be held rain or shine. The 3.1-mile road race begins at 1:30 pm. Walkers start at 1:40 pm. The course begins outside Waterbury City Hall on Grand Street, winds through downtown streets and finishes in front of Library Park near the Republican-American building.
Registration begins at noon â but pre-registration is encouraged. Pre-registration is $20 for adults and $10 for children 12 and under. Race-day registration is $25 for adults, $15 for children 12 and under.
The first 500 runners and walkers will receive t-shirts and goody bags. Prizes, trophies and medals will be awarded to the top finishing runners.
To register for the event or to become a sponsor, visit www.Bob5K.com or call (203) 574-3636, ext. 1416.
Organizers also need many volunteers to help the event go smoothly. To volunteer, contact Stephanie DeLuca at bobroadrace@yahoo.com.
Those who wish to help Veillette, but are unable to participate in the event, may make donations online at www.Bob5K.com or send a check made out to âLocked-in 5K Road Raceâ to The Locked In 5K Road Race, 389 Meadow Street, Waterbury, CT 06722.