Friday, October 28, 2011

3rd Quarter Multiple

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Wayne Rowland, 45, of Seneca lays in his bedroom, under one of his many wrestling posters at the Lila Doyle Nursing Home at Oconee Medical Center in Seneca.  Rowland lived a regular life through high school, but a growing development of cerebral palsy changed his physical abilities and now he is the youngest resident at the nursing home.

Wayne Rowland, 45, of Seneca gets physical therapy time with Bruce Langston at the Lila Doyle at Oconee Medical Center in Seneca.  Once able to get around town, Rowland spends each day indoors getting physical therapy, participating in meetings, and laying in bed.

Banks, a therapy dog at the Lila Doyle at Oconee Medical Center in Seneca greets Wayne Rowland in a rehabilitation room in the basement. 

Wayne Rowland, left, gets a pat on the shoulder from friend Beverly Mattey near the month calendar in a hallway at the Lila Doyle at Oconee Medical Center in Seneca.  Rowland, the youngest of the residents, is an example of the growing number of young residents in nursing homes.

Wayne Rowland touches a blue button to make a phone call to his mother from his room.  The phone is connected with a programmed function to call anyone with a voice command.  Rowland grew into an advanced stage of cerebral palsy after a normal childhood.

Wayne Rowland said he enjoys attending meetings listed on the month calendar in a hallway at the Lila Doyle at Oconee Medical Center in Seneca.  "I tell them if they aren't happy, they shouldn't be working here," Rowland said of some he felt were there only for the money. 

Wayne Rowland, 45, of Seneca looks back toward therapist Bruce Langston in a hallway at the Lila Doyle at Oconee Medical Center in Seneca.   Rowland, younger than the other at the residents, is one of a growing number of younger residents in nursing homes.

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James "Radio" Kennedy, 64, of Anderson empties trash during lunch at T.L. Hanna High School.   Radio is a special needs student helping at the school's football practices since he was 18 as a way to find him something to do.  Years after a national award-winning article in the local newspaper, followed by a Sports Illustrated feature, and a Hollywood movie starring Cuba Gooding Jr., Radio faces his senior years and still wants to be part of the school.  People say he is in 11th grade so he can not graduate.  He joins the football team sidelines for another year to cheer.     10ohltg02a    published 08-25-2011, "Golden Radio"

James "Radio" Kennedy, right, 64, of Anderson talks to junior varsity football coach Beech Lockwood in a hallway at T.L. Hanna High School.  Radio talks to many teachers, students, and visitors, some which travel from long distances because they saw him in the movie Radio, featuring Cuba Gooding Jr. as James "Radio" Kennedy.  His nickname came about when one Christmas, he was given many transistor radios since he took an interest in them. 

James "Radio" Kennedy, right, 64, of Anderson points to his favorite photo, showing him at a football practice, in a framed Sports Illustrated magazine article from December 16, 1996.  Radio carries a school name tag with photograph and title, Public Relations.  A previous mayor once said if the aging Radio dies, the whole city might shut down. 

James "Radio" Kennedy, left, 64, of Anderson stirs sweetener in his cup of tea near teacher Heather Holliday during lunch at T.L. Hanna High School.  Radio, a diabetic, has his own gallon of unsweetened tea the lunchroom employees serve for him, but he sneaks packets of Splenda-brand sweetener in the tea once he sits with teachers.

James "Radio" Kennedy, right, hugs T.L. Hanna High School lunchroom manager Judy Durham, who helps him with his doctor ordered diet needs.  Radio stands near the lunch line to greet students and football players, who listen to him predict a win for the Yellow Jackets.  "Hanna gonna win, Hanna gonna win," he tells them.

James "Radio" Kennedy, 64, of Anderson walks by a mural showing a lightpole at a crossing of Easy St. and Radio Road at T.L. Hanna High School in the lunchroom.   In a school where hallways are named like streets, Radio has his own road in the lunchroom. 

James "Radio" Kennedy helps sell programs at the front gate for the season and home opener against city rival Westside High School.  Radio regularly autographs his photograph and biography in the program with his signature circle loops.

The season opener arrives after a long, hot summer in Anderson.  T.L. Hanna High School's best fan James Radio Kennedy holds one of his many transistor radios from his collection while pretending to signal plays from the sidelines during the season and home opener against city rival Westside High School.

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