Rob Wudlick

Family and friends of Rob Wudlick are raising money to pay for uninsured medical expenses associated with catastrophic injury.

On April 4, 2011 Rob shattered his c4 and c5 vertebrae after he dove off a raft in the Grand Canyon and an eddy current jammed his head into the sand. With prompt and skillful medical attention, he is on his way to recovery.

Currently he cannot control most of his movements below his shoulders, but he has sensation to varying degrees all over his body. Many people with spinal cord injuries continue to recover function below the level of injury for YEARS post injury. HOPE!

Since Rob and his parents arrived back in Minnesota in early August 2011, he has been slowly regaining more and more muscle activity below his level of injury. With support, he can move his right arm in many different ways! His thumbs, abs, back muscles, quads, glutes and feet have shown signs of muscle activity developing. He has been busy with Physical and Occupational Therapy at the Courage Center. And a great resource has been the warm therapy pool at The Marsh, a local fitness center.

With the funds raised through HelpHOPELive, this fall, Rob started the ABLE Program at the Courage Center. This has been a crucial part of regaining muscle strength and movement. ABLE stands for Activity Based Locomotor Excercise. Rob really works out during his 4 hour long sessions, 3-4 days a week. The therapists have him standing in harnesses, partially supporting his own weight, and walking with either manual assistance or with electrical stimulation! They work his abdominal muscles, which has improved Rob’s posture and balance. The days Rob is at ABLE are always good days! There has been real progress in movement through this therapy. It is a long haul though.

We have also used HelpHOPELive funds to purchase an FES Bike (used) for home use, and a Standing Frame for home use. Future plans may include a trip to ProjectWalk in Southern California. The program there is even more aggressive than the ABLE Program and includes a whole-life approach to recovery.

We are grateful for the opportunities Rob has been able to have which were funded by the generous contributions from friends and family. Thank you all!

Rob has chosen to fundraise with HelpHOPELive because HelpHOPELive provides both tax-deductibility and fiscal accountability to contributors. Contributors can be sure that funds contributed will be used only to pay or reimburse medically-related expenses. To make a contribution to this fundraising campaign, select the “Donate Now” button or see the “Mailing a Check?” section of this page.

For more information, please contact HelpHOPELive at 800-642-8399.

Thanks for your support!