Robby’s Rally: Empowering Lives Beyond Disability

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Robby Barbieri and Shawn Johnson are organizing this fundraiser.

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Hey everyone, my name is Robby Barbieri. In February 2022, my life changed forever. I was driving to dinner when my SUV flipped in the rain and hit a telephone pole, resulting in a C4/C5 incomplete spinal cord injury that left me paralyzed from the shoulders down.

During the three months I spent in the ICU, I was confronted with the daunting realities of living with a spinal cord injury - overwhelming medical costs, caregiving expenses, and a system that forces tough choices between healthcare and fundamental rights like employment and marriage.

I'm currently in a situation where maintaining my health care means putting my career and personal life on hold. But I believe in a different future – a future where people with disabilities can work, marry, and thrive without losing essential care.

Why This Campaign?

I refuse to accept a future confined to receiving Medicaid services while being unable to work or marry. My vision is a future where I - and others with disabilities - can thrive, work to our full potential, and have access to the essential caregiving we need.

This campaign isn't just about my recovery; it's about fighting for a future where people like me can lead fulfilling lives. It's about advocating for policy changes that don't force impossible choices on those with disabilities. I want a future where I can work, contribute, pay taxes, and save for all of the expenses that come with paralysis. Your support will help make this future a reality.

How You Can Help

Donate: Your donations are pivotal. While they assist in my ongoing recovery and independence, a significant portion also fuels our advocacy efforts. Together, we can push for policies that provide better options for people with disabilities.

Advocate for Change: I urge you to contact your local representatives. Advocate for policies that empower, not restrict, the lives of those with disabilities. Your voice is powerful and necessary. Find your representative here.

Share Your Insights: If Medicaid impacts you or someone you know, please fill out our survey. Your experiences are crucial in shaping our advocacy.

Join Our Movement: Be a part of Disability Day on the Hill in early 2024. Your presence and support can drive change. More details will be available here.

Together, We Can Make a Difference

Your support goes beyond just aiding my personal journey; it's a step towards a more inclusive and fair world for people with disabilities. Every donation, every shared story, and every voice raised in advocacy brings us closer to a future where disability does not dictate our choices.