Help out Rob Carso

Rob was a very active outgoing people-person that loved to be in the woods, camping, exploring the Adirondacks and riding his bike. He could never sit still, always going and doing something. Now he is severely struggling physically and mentally. Even going the grocery store has become a chore. Many basic tasks that a healthy person may take for granted Rob now struggles with or just simply cannot do.

May 2022 Rob started to notice something wasn’t right with his body. He continued to work through that summer even though he was getting progressively worse. Slowly it was starting to affect his everyday life and he began to have problems with balance, mobility, hand coordination, and strength. Many of our friends and family could start to see the decline in Rob’s overall health and qualify of life. Working began to be difficult and sometimes impossible to do certain tasks. Towards the end of the summer ‘22, it was undeniable that something was going on other than having “bad knees or a pulled back”. At this point Rob was using the aid of a cane to get around due to multiple falls. So off to the doctors he went.

After tests and multiple trips to different doctors it was determined that Rob had a severe spinal cord compression that needed to be addressed right away. So, under the knife he went, but the surgery was only to stop the compression from getting worse. This surgery was not in any way going to make him “better”. Rob had C5-C7 (Cervical/Neck) surgery. Once the surgery itself was healed he was able to being the next step. Although this next step became nearly impossible due to the fact that the health care professionals that Rob was a patient of did not due the right thing for Rob and his after care. Physical Therapy and many other follow ups and medications were grossly delayed due to them not returning calls, not sending referrals in a timely manner. Or just flat out not helping/ignoring us to the point a complaint was filed. When the medical system is not helping you what do you do? You feel helpless and second guess what was this all for.

At this time Rob is still currently waiting to go to his appointment for a 2nd option on his spinal condition as Rob, his Primary Doctor and his family feel something is still not right. Regardless if it wasn’t to make him better, he has symptoms now that were not there prior to the November surgery. Medical care and follow ups are ongoing. His PM&R Dr. has also discovered that Rob has Neurotrophy in both feet. Making walking even that more difficult.

Rob is working so hard with his Physical Therapy on land & water, a gait class, along with wearing what is called an AFO/Ankle-foot orthoses to attempt to reteach himself how to balance, stand, walk, use stairs, even get up and out of a chair with out assistance. They have been so encouraging for Rob but this routine of PT 3 times a week will be something that will have to adhere to for at least a few years. The medication and at such high dosages to help with the pain and condition of his legs make Rob so tired and very sleepy throughout the day.

Current situation, New York State at this time does not feel that Rob is Disabled and should be able to work. We have retained an attorney which has informed us that it will be about 1 year before we get to see a judge to fight his case. Since Rob was 14 years old every job that he has had has been on his feet. Standing, walking, bending over, moving around people, quick acting, using his hands. None of these things he can currently do. He has just begun to work on balancing in PT how can he work in a kitchen or a bar with a 2 walking sticks to help him stay up, balanced and walk. And at this point rob is only able to stand without needing to sit and rest for about 5 minutes before his legs become too weak and he is at risk for a fall. Along with the 4 new medications Rob is now taking relating to this injury they make him extremely drowsy throughout the day. Making his energy level very low.

Rob & I have been living on my income alone, with no other assistance from the state or government since April of this year. (We have had support from our immediate family) We are now at a point where our savings is gone and we are honestly really struggling. With his disability being denied and having to get an attorney to appeal the decision we are stretched so thin that it is has becoming an issue. Anything that you can do to help us out in anyway is beyond appreciated.