My name is Kim Taylor and I'm helping raise money for my good friend, Robin Griner, who has been saving for a mobility van for years. I'd like to help her get there quicker, as this will give her back her freedom. For those of you reading this who know my Mom and/or me, I want to tell you about what Robin has done for us (please read below in More Details).

Short Version: Robin has spent the best part of her life making life easier and happier for everyone. She's had some really bad luck and tough times for the past 12 years, which have changed the outcome of her life immeasurably. This mobility van with wheelchair accessibility and controls, will allow her to have back her freedom.

More Details of Robin's Story:

Robin did everything right, everything that we are supposed to do to get the American Dream. She worked hard in school, went to college, became a teacher and taught special needs children for 30 years in Nashville. Over the years, Robin bought a house and a car, lived a modest life and enjoyed it to the fullest. She also made saving money for life emergencies and her retirement a priority. She did everything right.

Her medical problems started decades ago with rheumatoid arthritis, which caused numerous surgeries. Then 12 years ago, she had to get a knee replacement. She caught an infection while in the hospital, which the doctors couldn't get under control, and they were forced to amputate her leg just above the knee. She went to rehab to learn to walk with her prosthetic leg and made progress, able to return home. Eventually, she had to have another surgery and her infection returned, forcing her to return to rehab. But this time, the progress didn't go as well and she was no longer able to walk with her prosthetic. To make matters worse, her insurance limit capped and she was forced to pay the remaining duration with her retirement savings, which were drained significantly.

Once again, Robin returned home, this time in her wheelchair. She cares for herself and is independent, with the help of a caretaker who she pays to help out for a few hours each week. She sold her dream car, a convertible that she knew she would not be able to drive again. She relies on Access Ride to go everywhere...doctor appointments, the grocery store, volunteer work, to see friends, everywhere. She is grateful for Access Ride, but if you've ever experienced or depended on it, you know what an ordeal it is.

Which brings us to this GoFundMe. From the time Robin realized she wouldn't be able to walk on her prosthetic again, she started saving for a mobility van that has a ramp for her to drive her wheelchair into, and drive controls that allow her to drive herself. She is full of life, even after everything that she has been and is going through, and this van will give her back her freedom.

Now let me tell you what Robin has done for my Momma and me, as well as countless other friends that we met over the past two years, as my Mom was transitioning from independent living to long-term care. The time during this transition was terrifying, for all of us. We didn't know what exactly was happening with my Mom's brain and body, and she declined drastically and rapidly. We had no idea what would be her future and we were basically grieving the loss of her already.

We met Robin almost immediately when my Mom entered her first rehab. Robin would sit out front, in the sunshine, with her portable radio, blasting 70s and 80s music and singing along. We would all go out and sit in the sun for a while, to break the monotony of the day. Robin would laugh and talk to everyone, trying to keep up all of our spirits. On bingo days, she would ride through the halls, like the town crier, announcing that it was starting on the 3rd floor at 10:30, encouraging everyone to come have fun and win prizes. She paid particular attention to my Mom, who she knew was having such a hard time. She would talk with my Mom, joke with her and spend time just making her feel normal again. Robin and our friend, Patti (who was also doing a stint for surgery recovery), were my Mom's lifeline. They made her feel like her old self, giving her hope that better days were coming. They were the only relief she had during her days, when I couldn't be there due to work.

My Mom is settled now and doing so much better, but I often wonder what would have been the outcome if she'd not had Robin and Patti during those hardest months. Needless to say, I have loved them from the beginning and will never be able to thank them enough for comforting my precious Momma when she needed someone the most, and when I couldn't be with her. They gave us the greatest gift.

So I would like to help Robin get back some of her freedom. She's not asking for this, it was my idea and I talked her into letting me set this up. She is still a hard worker, volunteers at the rehab where we met, and is a gift to everyone who is lucky enough to call her a friend. I hope everyone is lucky enough to have a friend like Robin when they're going through the hardest times in life.

If you have a few dollars to contribute and feel called to help, please do so. No donation is too small.

Much love to everyone,

Kim