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Recently, we asked the
real Enoch, Vince Insalaco III and the real Wheels, Tim Baloney if they
remembered how they met. Tim, now 28 said, “If memory serves me right Vince
and I met in the summer of 1985 right before school started. Vince thought
my wheelchair looked like one of those rolling carts the teacher would bring
our milk and snacks on in kindergarten. Vince added “I used to enjoy riding
the milk cart as the milk was passed out to the rest of the kids, and Tim,
being in a wheelchair, saw a connection in this.”
Over the past 24 years Vince III and Tim, the real life young men behind the
story of War Eagle, Arkansas, have been through a life time of good, bad,
difficult and emotionally trying shared experiences. “The fact that we have
been friends for so long and been through so much together proves without
question that our friendship has and will survive anything.” said Tim.
“I do everything I can to help Tim experience life as I do. Being confined
to a chair limits his experiences and travels, but we have figured out a way
to not let it hold us back. His goal for independence remains strong, said
Vince III. “I lost my Pappy (Pop) last year; the bond I shared with him is
hard to describe, he was more than a grandfather. I was at his bedside at
the end and spoke at his funeral; the only time I did not stutter while
publicly speaking. Tim and I were both pallbearers and that was special.”
Always having the last word, Tim said “To be perfectly honest, I believe our
friendship is rare; like the Everlasting Gobstopper in “Willy Wonka and the
Chocolate Factory,” it will stand the test of time. Our relationship can be
summed up in one word, "vintage."
Vince III, is now 28,
recently graduated from the University of Arkansas in Little Rock with a
Political Science Major and a Minor in Presidential Studies. He is currently
in state government and active in local politics. He did marry (Abby) who is
the former Misty Phillips and together they have two daughter s Mary
Angelina 5, and Isabella Rose nearly 2.
Tim is also 28 years old and lives in North Little Rock, Arkansas. Tim
graduated from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock as a Radio,
Television and Film major. He also recently received his teaching
certificate. He is engaged to be married in the summer of 2009. |