On April 9th, something no parent ever expects happened.

Bobby and his dad, Steve, were at home having dinner like any other night when suddenly Bobby began choking on a hotdog. Steve immediately jumped into action, trying the Heimlich maneuver and even using a LifeVac device—but nothing worked. With no time to spare, Steve rushed Bobby to the nearest emergency facility.

By the time they arrived, Bobby was turning blue. The medical team moved quickly to save him. During his time in the emergency room, Bobby lost his pulse and had to be intubated. At different points, both of his lungs collapsed. His condition became critical, and he was urgently airlifted to Mott Children’s Hospital.

When he arrived, a full team was waiting. Bobby underwent a procedure to remove pieces of the hotdog from both lungs. Thankfully, doctors were able to successfully remove them. However, complications during intubation led to the placement of incorrect tubes at first, causing a scar on his trachea. Because of this, Bobby remains intubated and heavily sedated, with many obstacles still ahead.

Heather and Steve do have insurance, but they are facing a significant deductible, along with the financial strain of taking extended time off work to be by Bobby’s side.

They don’t know this fundraiser has been created for them. But Heather has given so much of herself to others over the past 10 years—she deserves to focus solely on her son right now without the added stress of financial burden. Our goal is to lift that weight off their shoulders during this unimaginable time.

If you are able to give, even a few dollars can make a meaningful difference.

Thank you so much for taking the time to read Bobby’s story. If you have any questions, I’m happy to answer them.

With love,

The Albarkat, The Parent, and Miner Families