Griffin O'Neal seeking melorheostosis treatment

Griffin O'Neal Speaks Out About Family's Troubles
By Champ Clark, PEOPLE.com
Originally posted Wednesday September 24, 2008 08:10 AM EDT

The drug arrests of Ryan O'Neal and his 23-year-old son Redmond at their Malibu home are just the latest chapter in a tragic saga, the actor's other son Griffin O'Neal tells PEOPLE. "It's a very screwed-up family," says Griffin, 43. "If you want to be emotionally healthy and strong, you've got to get out .... It's a truly sad situation." Griffin has also battled drug addiction and says he is now two years sober. While he no longer speaks to his father, 67, the younger O'Neal remains close to his sister Tatum, 44. Griffin is currently staying with her in New York, where he's seeking treatment for Melorheostosis, a rare bone disease which may necessitate amputation of his left leg. "It's horribly painful," Griffin says. "It's off the scale on the pain." Ryan O'Neal's lawyer declined to respond to Griffin's comments. But the lawyer did tell PEOPLE the drugs found by police in O'Neal's home didn't belong to him and O'Neal "will be fully vindicated."

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Ryan (left) and Griffin O'Neal

Photo by: INF, Sthanlee B Mirador

Shooting Star

What is melorheostosis?? It is a rare, non-hereditary bone disease which affects both sexes. The disease causes suffering from severe, chronic pain on a daily basis. “Melo,” as it is commonly called, is a progressive disorder characterized by the thickening of bones. It affects both bone and soft tissue, and while benign, can result in severe functional limitation, extensive pain, and significant deformity. Melo is a “one in a million” disease--fewer than 300 cases have been diagnosed in the world. Melorheostosis’ rarity, combined with minimal support and funding, means very little medical research has been performed. Melo has no cure, no known cause, and no effective treatments.

For more information, visit the melorheostosis fund..