As many of you know, our dear friend Rob Dawson suffered a significant stroke in the early hours of July 14, causing damage to the parts of his brain that control mobility and language/speech.

After receiving excellent care at UCONN John Dempsey, he is now in an acute inpatient rehabilitation program at Gaylord Hospital in Wallingford, working tirelessly each day to regain the ability to communicate and move independently. His spirit is nothing short of miraculous, and his determination to recover is fueled by the unwavering support of his wife Heather, children Ruby and Bodhi, father Steve, extended family members and close friends. But the road ahead will certainly be a long and challenging one, requiring considerable effort, patience and resources. Heather and Rob are grateful to have a strong health insurance plan that has covered the bulk of Rob’s medical expenses to date.

However, like many families, they rely on both incomes to make ends meet. They were counting on receiving disability pay for Rob during this indeterminate period of rehabilitation and recovery, but because he had only been at his job for 11.5 months at the time of his stroke—just shy of the 12-month requirement—he is ineligible for those benefits. In short, Rob’s income has unexpectedly come to a sudden halt while his health care expenses continue to increase.

Rob, Heather, Ruby and Bodhi are facing these challenges with strength and resilience, but they need our support. Any contribution you can make will help them navigate through this difficult time and ensure that Rob can focus fully on his recovery without the added stress of financial uncertainty. Let’s come together to help this wonderful family!