Robert Florio

Please Help Our Friend Robert!

Robert suffered a life-changing spinal cord injury following a devastating diving accident in 1996. He was in 8th grade and an all-star baseball athlete with endless potential. His family was living normal happy lives. Now a quadriplegic with no use of his legs and limited use of his arms, Robert has spent the last 18 years in a power wheelchair. As you can imagine, the care he needs is terribly expensive, which is why we need your help.

Robert’s parents try hard to keep their jobs as they also spend hours by Robert’s side when the caregivers are unavailable, incompetent or do not show up for work. These are struggles that no young man and his parents should have to face alone. Through all of this, Robert and his family are optimistic and hopeful. No paralysis will ever conquer Robert’s sense of humor and good nature.

In spite of the many struggles that he faces, Robert is continuing to fully return to a productive life in the community through the support of family and friends. Robert has developed his talents as an artist by painting with his mouth. However, he and his family are facing many expenses due to his injury. Modifications need to be made to their home for it to be wheelchair accessible. He also needs money for an intense therapy program and equipment that will strengthen his body and help him regain some additional function in his arms and hands. Another expense he faces is the purchase of a specially modified wheelchair that allows him to stand. None of these expenses will be covered by insurance.

To assist with his uninsured injury related expenses a fundraising campaign in Robert’s honor has been established with HelpHOPELive, a nonprofit organization that has been assisting the transplant community for more than 30 years. In 2000, they expanded their mission to include those who have sustained a catastrophic injury. All contributions are tax-deductible, are held by HelpHOPELive in the Mid-Atlantic Spinal Cord Injury Fund, and are administered by HelpHOPELive for injury-related expenses only. Please consider making a donation:

Thank you for any help that you can give.