Robert Gebhard, 51, who is a husband, father, son, friend and family member to many was severely injured on 12/23/2020 while cutting a tree down for firewood required to heat to their home in Pine River, MN.  As the tree was falling, the trunk quickly shifted and pinned him under the tree. Unable to move, and in severe pain was airlifted to the Level 1 Trauma Center at North Memorial in Robbinsdale MN where he underwent 3 surgeries to repair his crushed pelvis and fractured spine.  Once stable, able to get up into a chair and cleared to start therapies, he was transferred to Minneapolis VA Health Care System -Spinal Cord Injury Unit, where he is today.  His injuries have left him with ongoing severe skeletal and nerve pains throughout his body, paralysis in the lower body and inability to bear weight yet has made his recovery challenging.

This is not the first time he has suffered a near death accident, On 2/17/1991 while serving with the 2nd Army Cavalry Division in the US Army during the-Persian Gulf War, the Bradley Fighting Vehicle he was driving was hit by friendly fire leaving him suffering burns, deep shrapnel riddled in his body, concussion and severe PTSD.  He has fought for years, trying to live the best life he can but still struggled physically, emotionally and psychologically from surviving such a horrific tragedy once, only to have many of the same feelings intensify with this recent accident. His PTSD has always increased during this time of the year, but now more than ever, it has been shown its ugly face mainly due the COVID restriction requirements.  He has similar feelings of isolation, abandonment and loss of control that occurred that horrible day on February 17, 1999, in the middle of the dark desert, hurt, scared and alone.  He has been trying to keep strong and stay positive but has his setbacks both physically and psychologically.   Thank god for the  communication with cards, letters, phone calls, texts and Alexa devices from his friends and family, both civilian and military, he knows he has support and we are here for him. The VA Hospital staff has been great and has been getting great care, but it is time for Rob to come home and begin his next journey that life will bring him.

Rob is determined and aggressively working hard to be independent, despite his injuries.  He is learning how to work with his pain, weakness, loss of muscle function and sensation in his lower extremities so he can be independent. He has a lot of work to do and his recovery will not end when he is discharged. His goal is to leave the VA in March and go home.  This will be tough, but realistic, however help is needed. He has never been afraid of a fight and determined to do whatever is needed to come home.  Rob refuses to ask for help, but is the first one to offer his own help to others if he can. His VA connections have already stepped up and supplied him a new gas furnace for his home, no more wood, yeah, plus insulation to keep his heating bills down. Besides the furnace, he will need help with ongoing medical bills, obtaining handicapped equipment to use at home, make home modifications, plus obtain or fix his vehicle, so he can physically get him and his wheelchair to his outpatient therapies.  It is understandable with COVID struggles, money is tight for all but anything will help and all will go directly to Robert and Family to prepare him to come home. If financially you are unable to help, if you have any donations of handicapped equipment items, time or expertise in any areas that could help him or his home be ready, would be appreciated.