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To Our Friends,

Our dear friend, Bill Wellock, was in a traumatic, life-altering accident in July that left him paralyzed from the waist down. A tree fell on him while he was riding his bike, trying to get to shelter as a fast-moving storm approached. Along with his spinal cord injury, he sustained sixteen fractured ribs and a fractured sternum; he is among the “5 percent” that his cardiac surgeon stated survives repair of a dissected aorta. Bill will have life-long medical needs and is trying to regain strength through rehabilitation therapy.
Bill, a Philadelphia native, has been a long-time resident of Wyomissing, a respected employee at Carpenter Technology, an active member of Sacred Heart parish, an alumnus of Cardinal O’Hara High School, The Catholic University of America and Villanova University. He, Ann, and their three sons all share a love of the outdoors and a sense of commitment to participate in their community and school activities.
One thing that has helped the Wellock family during the past months has been the support they have received from their community, friends, family, co-workers, and so many others. Thank you for reaching out to the Wellocks to show your support! It is greatly appreciated.
Many of you have asked how you can help. Bill is determined to return to a productive work life. This will require major adjustments in light of his physical limitations and medical complications. Extensive rehab services, modifications to his home and transportation accommodations will be needed, all of which are extremely expensive and will have to be paid out-of-pocket.
To assist Bill and Ann with these expenses, a fundraising campaign in Bill’s honor has been established with HelpHOPELive (formerly NTAF), a nonprofit organization that has been assisting the transplant community for nearly 30 years. In 2000, they expanded their mission to include those who have sustained a catastrophic injury. All contributions are tax deductible, are held by HelpHOPELive in the Mid-Atlantic Spinal Cord Injury Fund, and are administered by HelpHOPELive for Bill’s injury-related expenses only. To make a donation:Sincerely,
Friends of Bill Wellock Committee
Walter & Kate Banta Ken & Paula Christian
Denny & Judy Direnzo Andy & Jane Farella
John & Ellen Feeney Leo & Kelly Fontana
Jim & Cathy Gallagher Mike & Mary Anne Gaza
Mike Hajost Jerry & Christine Helinek
Scott & Angel Helm Ellen Horan
Jim & Jan Loomis Joe & Meg Lutes
Tim & Maureen McDonough Harry & Liz McMunigal
Mike & Kathy Napolitano Steve & Loni Pottieger
Pat & Meg Shields Mike & Tiffany Sergi
John & Patty Tschiderer Pete & Lizanne Zaleski

Updates (5)

May 16, 2023

Letter I sent to my family and friends on July 26, 2022

Today is July 26th --- ten years since I suffered a spinal cord injury that changed my life. After my injury, I was scared about the uncertainty that lay in front of me. Words can’t express how helpful you were in creating my Help Hope Live account and how much your ongoing support of Ann, our sons, and me has meant in helping us move from uncertainty to being confident that we could move forward.

Navigating from where I was ten years ago to where I am today has been challenging, but I can tell you that I am looking forward to the future and your support has helped me get there.

The CEO of Life Is Good provided a few tips that I like to reflect on:

1. Turn on the Lights – When you wake up, make the decision to be an optimist. Focus on the good things in your life and the good things around you.

2. Trust Your Navigation System – Find “your way,” know what it is, know who you are.

3. Enjoy the Ride – With perspective, we all come to realize that the only thing we need more of is time: time to do what we love and time to be with the people we love.

My lights are on (most days!), I am enjoying the ride, and I trust where I am going. Thanks for being there when I needed you.

Love,

Bill

September 17, 2013

IM ABLE duathalon

Something to marvel about: In September 2012, Bill was just starting his rehab, barely able to do a wrist curl with a 2-pound weight. On a beautiful, sunny, Sunday, September 8th, he participated in the IM ABLE Foundation duathalon and biked approximately 10 miles with a hand-crank bike! Check out the website www.imablefoundation.org for pictures.

Thank you to Carpenter Technology for sponsoring a fund-raiser for adaptive equipment or a hand bike. Thanks to Billy and Gretchen Kaag for making a great team and THANKS TO ALL for cheering Bill on!

Photo Galleries (1)

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Guestbook

April 12, 2016

My maiden name is Wellock and that's how I came across your site. (Maybe we're related?)
Just want you to know that I am praying for you from Arlington, Texas.
Keep the Faith and Love Always,
Sheila

Rev. Sheila (Wellock) Fiorella

October 25, 2013

You're attitude is amazing! Really all that I can say. I'm completely humbled. Definitely an inspiration to us all. Stay strong!

Bill Bihlman

March 25, 2013

Bill,
I can't say that I know you, although I do
recognize your last name from St Dots.
I wish you all the best and may a miracle
be in your future.

Tad White, St Dots, '71