She calls him her Shining
Star.
Uncomfortable in the spotlight, wary of even the inference of a
"softy" image, he tries to deflect such attention.
The story, he says in his best cop voice, is about her, not him.
But that's far from true.
Carol Coveleskie and Steve McDermott are knit together like a pair of
mittens in this story of generosity, kindness and hope.
She is a quadriplegic. He is a Hillsborough County sheriff's deputy.
The two met last summer after McDermott answered a 911 call made from
Coveleskie's home.
A caregiver - one of a string of caregivers Coveleskie has employed since
spinal bone spurs paralyzed her in 1995 - had stolen from the defenseless
woman.
The random encounter changed both their lives.
Caring Cop Works Magic
Touched by Coveleskie's circumstances and worried about her safety,
McDermott began to stop by regularly to check on her.
She appreciated the attention. It made her feel safe, she says. And she
took to heart McDermott's sincere invitation to call him if she ever
needed anything.
Coveleskie, who has some movement in her hands and arms, got a computer in
1998, and it had become her lifeline.
With it, she keeps in touch with family and friends and a large community
of quadriplegics around the country.
"That's when my world opened up," says Coveleskie, a widow with
an adult daughter who lives in Plant City.
"My life came out of chaos through the computer."
Communication with other quads empowered Coveleskie. They shared tips and
stories, and offered encouragement and advice, which intensified her
motivation to change physicians, a move that had a dramatic, positive
impact on her condition.
Surgery last year provided more movement in her hands and arms, and she
can feed herself now.
Rehabilitation has also given her some movement in her feet.
She's so enthused she hopes one day to drive again.
Internet Upgrade Wanted
But when her aging computer crashed a few months back, she was devastated.
So she called McDermott and asked for help.
Coveleskie lives on a limited income from which she must pay her full-time
caregiver. There was no money in her budget for a computer.
McDermott told Coveleskie's story to other deputies who donated about
$1,000.
A friend of McDermott's, Richard Roetter, who owns Alim Computers, got the
hardware at cost and built a unit that meets Coveleskie's needs without
charge.
She's up and running again, reconnected to the community from whom she
gets so much support.
Now McDermott and Roetter are trying to provide Coveleskie with Internet
service that is always "on," such as Time Warner's Road Runner.
To McDermott, it's a safety issue. He would like her to be able to use the
computer for emergencies.
But none has the money to pay for such a service, which can cost around
$50 a month or more, about $30 more a month than Coveleskie now pays.
The men solicited several companies providing such service on her behalf
with no luck.
Now they're turning to the community.
Can someone help?
Cutline: Tribune photo by KATHY MOORE-LENGELL
(C) Carol Coveleskie tries out her new computer, which she got through the
efforts of Richard Roetter, left, and Deputy Steve McDermott.
Section: BAYLIFE
Page: 1
Judy
Hill can be reached at (813) 259-7812
or by writing her c/o
The Tampa Tribune
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Tampa FL 33601
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