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New Home Brings New Start For Family Of Injured Child

News Channel 8 photo by PETER MASA

John Wineberger stands in front of the house that he and his family just moved into. They were forced to leave their last house because of electrical problems.

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By RAY REYES and PETER MASA

Tampa Tribune and News Channel 8

Published: December 31, 2008

It's been a difficult two years for John Wineberger's family.

On Saturday, Wineberger, his wife, four children and their chihuahua stayed at a Ramada Inn because the home they were renting had electrical problems so severe that St. Petersburg Fire and Rescue officials had to disconnect the power.

In 2007, his son Josiah was seriously hurt when the family was spending a day at Bay Walk and a speaker fell from a second-story balcony and landed on the boy's head.

But on the last day of 2008, the Wineberger family finally found some good fortune.

They moved into a new rental house in St. Petersburg today. Twenty volunteers from Catholic Charities helped them pack their belongings and take the boxes to the new home.

"They did an awesome job," John Wineberger said of the volunteers. "All we have to do is the unpacking."

Since the Winebergers were displaced Friday from their former house at 22nd Avenue North, people from the community have called them to check on their well-being.

"We love everybody for doing what they've done," Wineberger said. "It's been an amazing last few days."

About 8 p.m. Friday, the lights in the house were flickering when Josiah, 5, ran out of his room. The TV in the boy's room was billowing smoke, his father said.

Then Wineberger heard a popping noise and saw that the TV in his 7-year-old daughter's room had also shorted out.

Progress Energy determined that the "antiquated" fuse box was unsafe, and firefighters cut the power to the house, St. Petersburg Fire and Rescue officials said.

While the Winebergers searched for a new home, Josiah still had to undergo daily therapy.

Josiah has issues with his behavior because of a brain injury from when the speaker fell on him, Wineberger said.

"He doesn't understand consequences anymore," Wineberger said. "We're worried about that in the long run. He's going to continue therapy for the rest of his life."

The lawsuit against Bay Walk is pending.

Today, Wineberger said his family was grateful despite their struggles.

"We're sincerely touched by the generosity of people," he said. "There's not enough words in the dictionary to explain how grateful this family is."

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