The Joey Hale Story

Countless admirers stand in long lines just to get a “walk to the car” experience with their beloved Publix bag boy – Joey Hale. What makes customers wait for just a few minutes of chitchat with this character? Well, for starters, he has survived seven brain operations, gets as many laughs as Bob Hope, and has an admirable dedicated work ethic. Let’s just put it this way…we all fall in life, some more than once, and it’s Joey’s example of picking up the pieces that compels a community to come together to celebrate and embrace him as their hero. 

On June 19, 1976, Joey’s entire family was involved in a horrific hit and run car accident caused by a drunk driver. The accident left a four-year-old Joey and his five-year-old sister with brain damage and his father in a body cast unable to work for 18 months. With the help of their friends and family, the Hales survived this difficult time and life continued. Then just when you think it could not get any worse for this family, Joey was diagnosed with a brain tumor at the age of twelve. A few hours after the doctors removed the tumor, Joey suffered a series of seizures that left him paralyzed, nearly blind and unable to talk. The prognosis for the recovery of his mental and motor skills was dim.  Despite experts’ opinions, Joey’s father never gave up hope to reconnect with his son. Through a friend of a friend what started out as an autographed photo of Dan Fouts ended up with a trip of a lifetime to a meet and greet with Joey’s favorite NFL team the San Diego Chargers.  The friendships made on this trip inspired a miracle.

Joey’s story is about the power of faith, football, friendship, and community coming together to do what is right for a remarkable family in need.  It’s the “pay it forward” gestures of kindness from a friend of a friend that kept this family up when it was down. Family, friends, neighbors, customers, co-workers, bosses, classmates, teachers, doctors, nurses, children, dogs, a pack of wild deer and even strangers lend a voice to tell the tale of Joey Hale, one of God’s walking miracles. You’ll laugh and cry at the same time while you take a “walk to the car” visit with us and feel it for yourself.  

A Letter from Dana Abercrombie (Producer / Director of the film)

I'll never forget how big of a deal it was when Joey Hale returned to St. Rose grammar school after a two year recovery from a brain tumor. I distinctly remember every time Joey walked by hearing a parent, teacher, or Dominican Sister utter the words, “There goes Joey Hale...a walking miracle”. As a child, I never would have known by his huge million dollar smile that he had suffered one day in his life. He walked and talked differently, but what I saw was a cute kid that looked just like Ralph Macchio from The Outsiders and knowing Joey he would have run into that burning church too!

Twenty years later, Joey and I crossed paths again at my local Publix. The first time I saw him I made my way over to him with no hesitation to reintroduce myself from St. Rose. For years I diligently shopped at Publix so he could walk me to my car and from there his story unfolded. Come to find out, he had suffered a great deal years before I had met him as a child. The things he went through were unimaginable. Then it hit me, what the adults in my youth were saying - he truly is one of God's walking miracles.

It's been a passion of mine to tell Joey's story for over eight years now. He has made a major impact on me. His outlook on life puts things into perspective and points you in the right direction with you laughing along the way. I feel we have captured Joey's essence and look forward to seeing it play out when we start editing with OutPost Pictures. Many thanks and blessings to everyone who can help us tell his story.