Entegra Connection Magazine Summer 2014 | Page 13

LIVE, LAUGH, LOVE ENTEGRA COACH FAMILY FILLS THEIR SON'S LIFE WITH ADVENTURE But Neal and Tammy Hanger wanted to give their son the best life by amy speer possible. His laughter today is proof that they have. Beneath a rumpled blanket, Neal Hanger feels the warmth of his nearby son. They lay on the hide-a-bed together, and above them, the THE CO-PILOT ceiling's oval mirror casts a heart-warming image. Around the campground, Randall Neal Jr. is best known as "J," and anyone who knows him will tell you that the 25-year-old man has the His 25-year-old son is laughing — again. Reflections tend to have that heart of a boy with a knock-your-socks-off smile. effect on him. Then again, camping in the family's Entegra Coach Anthem 44DLQ Neal's son, Randall Neal Jr., was born with Trisomy 8P, a rare brings out the best in J — laughter and all. When he camps, he smiles. chromosome anomaly. The abnormality was discovered before he was And when he smiles, he sings. He has a popular three-word tune. "J's born, and doctors said he we would likely be stillborn or die shortly going camping," and it's a hit around the Hanger coach. thereafter. After his birth, doctors discovered another abnormality in his brain, so they recommended sending him to an institution to When the Ohio family takes to the road in their Entegra Coach, only receive care. one person gets to be Dad's co-pilot, and it most certainly isn't Mom. J has proudly taken over the captain's chair — after all, riding has always been his thing. pictured: Randall Neal Jr., better known as J, poses with his mother, Tammy, outside the family's Entegra Coach Anthem. J was born with a rare chromosomal abnormality. j's story continueD entegra coach family feature | entegra coach connection 13