Help Bobby Walk Again!

Hi. I'm Mark Greenberg and for over 20 years Bobby Torkova and I have been close friends. Before I knew him, I was a fan of Bobby's legendary magic. Speaking to him at a convention, I quickly learned what a sensitive artist he is and we have been friends ever since. Now he needs our help. Bobby has been incapacitated by spinal stenosis. I am setting up this GoFundMe for Bobby's friends to help him in this critical time. Luckily, a spinal operation WILL help his condition but he will need a lot of support during this critical period of immobility and no income. Any money he receives here will go towards food, home health aides, rent - all the various costs of a prolonged physical recovery.

Please consider helping - Any amount is appreciated! Let's get Bobby back on his feet!

Please read his fuller story below:

Bobby has been suffering from spinal stenosis for the past year. He can barely walk and is confined to his apartment. The condition has progressed rapidly and he needs spinal surgery as soon as possible. The money raised here will help pay his rent, medical, and other bills so he can walk and start entertaining audiences again with his magic.

'Torkova’, as he is known, has been entertaining audiences for over 40 years - and winning international awards for it too. He’s had a passion for magic ever since he was seven years old when his father taught him some simple tricks. By the age of 26, he had become a successful, full-time professional magician entertaining audiences around the world. In his spare time, Bobby also worked his magic with The Big Apple Circus entertaining hundreds of children in hospitals.

When Covid-19 came and shut down most of the work, the entertainment field was hit particularly hard – especially for independent performers. During the pandemic, Bobby had no work and had to live off his savings and social security.

In early 2022 just as Bobby was preparing to bring back his one-man show, he started developing weakness in his legs. Thinking it might just be that his muscles had atrophied, he started to exercise again. But then another symptom developed; a tendency to fall forward. If he was on the slightest slope of a sidewalk, he had trouble keeping his balance. Climbing stairs became more and more difficult.

On August 29, 2022, while walking home, Bobby lost control of his legs. They splayed out in both directions and he fell in the middle of the street. Luckily there were no cars coming and a couple of people helped him to his feet. After leaning up against a building for support for a few minutes, he cautiously walked the two blocks to get his bus home. On the way, he bought a cane from a pharmacy.

Soon after that, Bobby saw an orthopedist who diagnosed him with Spinal Stenosis. This is a narrowing on the inside of the spinal column. The nerves that control the legs get pinched and are no longer able to send the proper signals to the muscles. As suggested by his doctor, Bobby initially tried more conservative approaches such as physical therapy but they only temporarily helped. Spinal surgery was always considered a last resort. For a couple of months, he was able to walk for several blocks with his cane but had to rest frequently. His walking gradually decreased to only half a block when it became too painful. His condition continued to deteriorate and now he has to use a walker. There is no elevator in Bobby’s building and going up and down stairs with a walker is problematic. So, he is pretty much confined to his apartment and needs to get some help as soon as possible - including a home health aide to clean, get groceries, and do the laundry. In addition, due to the pain, he can’t use his bed and has to sleep upright in a chair. He needs to raise $1,056 to pay for a recliner for this purpose. Bobby can now only shuffle around his apartment having to hold onto furniture so he doesn’t fall. The funds we raise here will also be used to pay for his rent, utilities, groceries, phone & internet, car service, and medical expenses. The recliner will also be used for months after his surgery when he is recuperating.

It became apparent in recent months that spinal surgery was now the only option left and that he needed help from our community. Recovery from spinal surgery can be at least six months. However, his doctor is confident surgery will alleviate 90% of the problem. Unfortunately, despite this urgent situation, the surgery won't happen for months.

Bobby has no living family and he lives alone in New York City. He has had to sell his car, as well as his treasured magic books and props to pay the rent. His only income now is from Social Security. Time is of the essence as when his savings run out, he will be facing eviction. For anyone, but especially a senior (66 years old) in this condition, that is a scary prospect.

His last feature appearance as a magician was on the Penn & Teller TV show, "Fool Us" (See the link below to watch his performance). Bobby has devoted his whole life to creating wonder and putting smiles on faces; At this, he is an artist. He hopes one day to perform again and continue making his unique magic.

I am asking you in the magic community and friends to help support Bobby for his many contributions to magic and help him to literally get back on his feet. Please donate as soon as possible as things are getting critical. If you are not able to contribute monetarily, you can support Bobby by simply spreading the word about this fundraiser on your social channels.

No donation is too small! Any contributions will be greatly appreciated!

Watch Bobby on Penn & Teller’s "Fool Us"!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kgXV_P4Jpkg