Show our love to the Robertsons ONE more time
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Steve Robertson was diagnosed with ALS almost three years ago. ALS is also known as Lou Gehrig's Disease. There is no known cure. It is a nervous system disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord. It causes loss of muscle control. The disease gets worse over time. ALS is often called the bankruptcy disease because the expenses continue to escalate and insurance only covers a portion of the costs for the essential, needed care.
After Steve's diagnosis, we started a GoFundMe fundraiser over two years ago (Bless the Robertsons) to help with some of the initial expenses that they encountered. We raised about $6,000 directly through that effort and many additional people helped out with other needs and cash, including, but not limited to, making required modifications to their house to accommodate Steve. Many have continued to donate either cash, materials, or time.
Even while battling the disease, Steve continued to work full-time for the Southern Company for over two years. As the disease continued to progress, he was forced to go on disability early this year. Through it all they both have found strength in God and amaze us every day with their attitude. They have continued to have a great sense of humor and have been determined that ALS would not steal their joy.
Renee is Steve's full-time caregiver and had to give up one of her two jobs to be able to care for him. She continues to drive a Special Needs Bus for Shelby County Board of Education, though it is hard to leave him for even long enough to drive her route each morning and each afternoon. Due to Steve's disability and Renee giving up one of her jobs, their income has been cut by 50%.
To give you a small glimpse into their needs, while not an exhaustive list, some of their on-going needs above what insurance pays for are:
- Physical Therapy twice a week that they now have to self-pay. $80 per week..
- While they have some volunteers that help them out, costs for caregiving to allow Renee to continue to drive the Special Needs bus are almost $700/month.
- Since Steve has been on disability, they have started paying over $500/month for their health insurance out of their reduced income.
- They had to purchase a specialized van that they are still paying for.
- They continue to have miscellaneous expenses needed for Steve's care including essential special equipment rental.
- They've had over $15,000 of miscellaneous expenses over the last two years above what they have been able to pay for. These continue to escalate.
Steve and Renee are very hesitant to even articulate what their needs are, but we want to continue to help in any way we can. It is very hard for them to ask for help. We need to show God's love through prayers for them. We also need to show that love by giving as we can and we need to share this need to our circle of friends to get as many people as possible involved to help. If each of us will do that, I believe that at least the financial needs that they continue to have can be alleviated.
Organizer
Phil Turner
Organizer
Alabaster, AL