Air a little sweeter for ailing painter

MATT ALLEN

February 15, 2008 at 10:49AM AKST

Jeff Toth breathes easier today.

The lifelong Seward resident was given the gift of a second chance thanks to the local community’s generosity.

Toth is a former painter who found his calling directly after finishing high school. His works can be seen throughout the town, as murals painted on the side of downtown buildings as well as inside and outside of private homes.

The 57-year-old, who once made his living as a painting contractor, watched his career come to a halt after experiencing breathing problems last year. When his condition worsened, he was admitted to Regional Hospital in Anchorage and diagnosed with pulmonary hypertension.

Pulmonary hypertension is a rare blood vessel disorder of the lungs that causes pressure in the pulmonary artery to rise above normal levels. According to the Pulmonary Hypertension Association, the disorder can become life threatening. Symptoms include shortness of breath with minimal exertion, chest pain, fatigue, dizzy spells and fainting.

Treatment includes supplemental oxygen, blood-thinning medication, diuretics and medications that dilate blood vessels. There is no cure.

Oxygen help

Today, Toth is unable to work. He can’t follow a day-to-day routine. He can’t do much, since his condition requires that he be connected to an oxygen machine.

Such measures are physically restrictive and costly. When the company he rented his oxygen concentrator requested it back due to nonpayment, he knew he was in trouble.

"My medication would eat up my Social Security every month," he said.

After exhausting his resources, he contacted the Seward Independent Living Center.

"From what I could tell he (Toth) had a hard time asking for help, so it was very difficult for him," said the center’s independent living specialist Ola Johnson.

She conferred with executive director Joyanna Geisler and decided to host a fund-raiser. They put up fliers and sent e-mails requesting help. Their goal was the $3,700 price of an oxygen concentrator.

"After that was raised, Jeff kept receiving donations from the community," Johnson said.

Toth is understandably grateful. He received his oxygen condenser right before Christmas. But it didn’t stop there. Friends Iris Darling and Sharyl Seese hosted a raffle that brought in almost $3,000 for Toth’s future expenses.

"Jeff has been a real asset to the town," said Iris Darling of Brown and Hawkins and Sweet Darlings.

"He’s painted almost everyone’s house in town, including my own," Seese said.

Toth hopes to stay active. He dreams of one day being able to finish the trim around his own house.

"I would still rather be painting," he said with a laugh.

Matt Allen can be reached at (907) 952-8527.