Horvath's Beat Cancer Support Team

Robert and I taught together for many years in WJCC,VA schools.  He worked with special needs students and his many accomplishments were nothing short of astounding.  I will only explain a few.  Robert started a program where his " students " would attend regular classes for two blocks and work for two blocks.  That program was called  " STEP" ( student transitional educational program) and was very successful. The students had to interview for the jobs and Robert worked extensively with them on these skills.  He was always impeccably dressed, a role model for the students. He worked with them on a variety of interview skills: making eye contact,dress, and of course how to  "sell" themselves.  The students were paid for their work and Robert kept them under close supervision.  Many were hired by the company after graduation.  He also worked with students diagnosed somewhere on the autistic spectrum. He helped these students develop a coffee clue for the faculty. The students planned and developed menus, went grocery shopping, bought the ness art supplies, collected the money, and advertised it to the faculty.  Faculty members could receive coffee of their choice,have it delivered to their rooms,at a specified time. Some of the students involved in the coffee club had previously interacted very little with the faculty or their students. By the end of the semester, the entire class greeted them as they entered the classroom.  Robert also taught the students math and banking after the coffee club ended each day.  Math, reading, writing, social skills,interpersonal development, self esteem, cooking skills and preparation skills, all went into play with the coffee club and Friday lunch menus offered.  Real Life experiences that has really helped these students to bloom and succeed.   He also took many of these same students on to a trip to Boston. He  and students worked on this together,from arranging the flight, how much it would cost, transportation, permission slips, safety and reviewing what they would try to see in Boston. They toured the historic area the entire day, taking pictures and then putting together a CD of he trip for their parents/ family.  Many had never flown before or left the area for a trip.  It was quite a success story for them. Among returning they then shared their pictures, explained the historical significance to the other students.    Fast forward to today, Robert was diagnosed with stage 3A lung cancer 8/27/2014. He underwent 4 months of chemo therapy and 30 rounds of radiation,hoping for a cure.  Unfortunately, in late May 2015,test indicated he had progressed to stage 4 lung cancer which had metastasized to his brain,liver and bones.  He is now being treated by the Cancer Treatment Center of America based in the Chicago area.  He had to retire early from the school system and from his adjunct professor position at W&M.  He had taught judo and self defense for the last 30 years.  He has now applied for SSDI but no FInanical support from this will occur until Jan 2016 .  He needs financial support to complete his treatment.  Insurance covers only a small amount of the expenses.   Robert has lived a life of integrity,service, and caring.  Please help him and his family in any way you can.   Written by a colleague