Help Robbie Recover his Independence

My name is Lyndee Hayes, Robbie's sister.

Robbie Nicholson had a massive stroke on August 1, 2018. Robbie has fought battles that most of us could not imagine. Robbie went from being a Baylor and UTA baseball player, a baseball coach and a part of the workforce to being stuck in a hospital and full time therapy for almost 9 months before insurance kicked him out. Robbie went through a divorce and now only gets to see his kids every other weekend. Robbie has had many other challenges that have been emotionally trying. He learned how to eat again, regained strength and learned dexterity in his left side, started speaking and has made many strides. He is currently wheelchair bound with a mostly paralyzed right side, including his arm, leg, lung and bladder. He suffers from severe clonis. His speech and vision are still compromised as well.

photo from Hannah Jewel Photography

In spite of these hardships, Robbie has been on the road to recover for a long time now, and he will not stop! His battle is a long term battle that he is determined to win! Robbie has a renewed faith and is leaning on God even when things are at rock bottom. Robbie ultimately wants his independence back. He wants to be able to get up in the morning without help, shower on his own, cook on his own, stand on his own, and walk! He wants to be able to provide for his children and get back into the workforce one day soon. He wants to be able to provide a home that his children want to come to in order to spend time with him. He shows such wonderful signs of progress that we know his body is not anywhere near done healing! In order to do these things, he needs financial help!

film from Townsend Films

We are very fortunate that our mother has been able to help pay for his costs of homecare and therapy. However, these costs easily reach $6000 a month, and we need help! In order for Robbie to reach his goals, he needs to spend more time at therapy, which is not covered by insurance. He needs to spend time with vision therapy, which is not covered by insurance. We also have high hopes of a highly successful stem cell therapy. Robbie also needs help paying basic medical bills that his insurance does not cover.

Robbie working at React

As his sister, I will be in charge of all funds that are raised. Our mom, uncle, doctor and main therapist are my resources that I discuss his next steps with, along with Robbie, of course. I will keep careful records of where everything is spent and share his work and progress so that you can see where your appreciated donations are going. The priorities we have for Robbie are his long term ability to become independent (walking, working, speech, etc) which will involve medical expenses. As Robbie also relies on a small payment from Social Security, we also have financial goals to help Robbie stay out of a state nursing home in the future. A main financial goal for Robbie is helping to create long-term security in his ability to maintain his rent. I will withdraw the donations from GoFundMe and place them into an account set up just for Robbie's funds. I will be paying his expenses to the source directly. For example, I will pay his therapy expenses at React directly. I will be acting as a custodian on any donations given to Robbie through this GoFundMe.

Robbie and Lyndee, sister

There are different priorities on what will best benefit Robbie depending on how much money is raised. The biggest priority right now is his therapy needs (adding more time which includes a hired driver) at React. We have spoken with doctors and formulated a plan for four stem cell treatments at BioXcellerator , if enough money is raised. He is in need of vision therapy at Neuro-Vision Associates of North Texas . Some smaller needs that make his daily living easier can also be addressed, such as no tie tennis shoes from Zeba, swivel systems to help him transfer from bed to wheelchair or toilet, single-hand kitchen utensils, etc. Other possible expenses could be helping to pay for his homecare or drivers to go watch his kids' games. The funds would also be used to pay his medical bills that are not covered by insurance.

Photo by Hannah Jewel Photography

Most of all, we thank you for your prayers for Robbie's Recovery. We know that God has saved him for a special purpose. Robbie wants to be able to fulfill God's purpose for this life changing event in his life. Please continue to pray for those tough moments that he faces on a daily basis, his strength, determination, and his body's ability to heal as God wills. We thank you for your continued support on Robbie's Road to Recovery. It's a long road with many hills and valleys, and we are humbled by your support.

For Updates, follow on instagram: @robbiewillrecover