Published: November 27, 2009 04:38 pm      

CHIP MINEMYER | Blessings abound for Conemaugh Twp. family

Ron and Candy Nail are experiencing a time for Thanksgiving and a Christmas miracle – all rolled into one.

The Tire Hill couple and their three children were living quiet lives until their son, Austin, developed vision problems.

As his condition worsened the reaction grew in the local community.

By the time they headed to Connecticut in October so that Austin could see a specialist, the Nails had become celebrities, and thousands of dollars had been raised to help their son.

Ron Nail said the family has been stunned and deeply moved by the outpouring of concern in the Conemaugh Township Area School District, where Austin attends third grade, and elsewhere across the region.

“In the beginning, we really didn’t share our business with a lot of people,” Ron Nail said last week. “So we were surprised by how everybody pulled together and how everybody has been helping. It was amazing.”

The Austin Nail story was spreading long before it appeared in The Tribune-Democrat on Sept. 20. Money has been raised at Candy Nail’s place of work – Laurel View Village – and through a fund at Health Care First Credit Union in Johnstown.

Collections have been taken at Conemaugh Township athletics events.

A recent basket raffle at the Conemaugh Township fire hall brought in $9,800. Event organizer Donna Platt said 187 baskets were donated and 370 people bought tickets to attend the fundraiser.

“It was phenomenal,” Platt said. “My goal at the beginning was to get 100 baskets. I probably could have sold 100 more tickets easily, but the hall only holds 400.

“It was just overwhelming, and very humbling. The community stepped up.”

Austin’s quest to regain his sight is just part of what inspires people. They are also moved by his efforts to remain an ordinary kid, even as he deals with being virtually blind.

He played youth football this fall – with a lot of help from his coaches and teammates – and has participated in soccer and wrestling.

His story appeared in several local media outlets, and was featured on the show “McDonald’s Youth Football in Steelers Country” on Fox Sports-Pittsburgh.

The outpouring of interest and concern was part of the miracle, however.

Here’s the other part:

Austin is already experiencing vision improvements through his treatments.

Austin suffers from Cone-Rod Dystrophy – which causes a deterioration of the cones and rods in the retina of the eye.

He is now being treated at Nolan Eye and Laser Center in Farmington, Conn. There, Dr. Gerard Nolan places drops in Austin’s eyes – a somewhat experimental treatment that is not in wide use yet.

During the first visit, Austin began to gain some sensitivity to light, Ron said.

By the second trip to Connecticut, he was experiencing light sensitivity in the middle of his eye – well ahead of schedule, he said.

“The doctor was shocked and we were surprised,” Ron said.

Austin has also been getting some color vision back, his father said.

The Nails will head back to the Nolan center in December for a third treatment.

“It’s going great so far,” Ron said.

In addition to adjusting to their celebrity, the Nails have been learning patience – Austin, especially.

“He probably thought it would happen quicker,” Ron said. “He was kind of agitated for a couple of weeks. It’s probably not happening as quickly as he hoped – or as we hoped, either.

“We’ll be doing some more tests and getting some more results. I’m as happy as can be, as long as we keep seeing these results.”

Ron said he and the family are thankful for everything people have done for them, from donating money to wishing them well.

“I’m happy. My wife’s extremely happy,” Ron said.

“All we can do now is wait and keep hoping.”



Chip Minemyer is the editor of The Tribune-Democrat. He can be reached at 532-5091.