Benefit to raise funds for Erica:

Hi my name is Erica Robertson and I am 47 years old. I have recently become very ill with internal kidney issues and multiple infections that will take many weeks to heal. I will fully recover in time but by having to take care of me at home, my parents are no longer able to work. My father is a self-employed piano service technician and mother is a church musician. Neither occupation provides retirement benefits and it is becoming very difficult to pay for the essentials because of it. Slowly we are falling seriously behind in paying for groceries, utilities, gas, phone, mortgage, and van repairs (over 200K miles). Not to mention the future medical bills that we will be receiving for having to be in full hospital care from 5/23-5/31.

I have written this as an appeal for help! We really need this help to pull us through these difficult times. Please consider assisting us in any way that you can. I will be extremely grateful!

Full backstory of my situation:

I live on a small farm in west-central Illinois. I was born with cerebral palsy which has resulted in spastic quadriplegia which means that I have never been able to walk or employ the fine motor skill that are necessary to speak clearly, eat without aid or use my hands. Fortunately, I do have the mind of a 47 year-old person. I am able to communicate with others and understand everything that they say, tell me or do.

My father and mother are both in their 70s now and continue to care for me at home. We have several outdoor cats, a horse and a dog (who acts like he's my nurse!) that live with us on the farm. Also, my 45 year old brother, his wife and 3 teenage kids live 25 minutes away.

I am involved with a facility called Respectabilities in East Moline, IL where I go every weekday to be with other clients and receive physical and occupational therapy from a very caring staff. My father drives me 40 minutes to Respectabilities in a wheelchair accessible van every day and then goes to work. A few hours later he picks me up and takes me home where I get a hot bath, a good nap and a wonderful meal that my mother prepares out of wholesome, healthy ingredients. She has studied nutrition and supplements for years to learn what is best for me to eat and drink. After that I go to the kitchen to help clean up and prepare for the next day.

On weekends, I go with dad to run errands, by groceries and to shop for other necessities. My mother spends the day preparing meals, doing dietary research, organizing my room and preparing my outfits. Since early morning on Friday 5/23/25, most of this has all come to a stop due to my medical issues and I can't wait to get back to my normal routine!