Robert is feeling so very blessed with his new ride. Thanks for all your prayers and contributions. I'm still asking that if you would like to give and donate please feel free at Prosperity Bank here in San Angelo,TX under Robert Powell's name. On Behalf of the Powell family, there are plenty of bills and payments that go along with Roberts everyday care and we are asking that you not forget that this will be a lifelong challenge for Robert and his family. Robert is not working. Hollie is not working. Finances are at a minimum because of this. God bless you, Thank you and please share.

Prosperity Bank - San Angelo, TX
Account Name: RobertPowell/VanFund

Discharged

Just a quick update. We found out today that Roberts Last day of physical therapy is Next Thursday.

He will be discharged on this day from West Texas Rehab due to him plateauing in his therapy.

New trials, learning curve

Hi all, I know some of you have wondered about blog updates, BLOG updates, BLOG UPDATES. Well the truth of it is, there isn't really much to report.

Robert is still:

Going to Therapy each week.

Staying at home the rest of the time.

Hanging out with the kids. oh, you KNOW...

Well, I guess you don't know. Rob has had his Manual Self Push Wheelchair for about 2 months now. He's really gotten the hang of it. We did find out last week that the wheels were on backwards (OOPS). When his therapist got that fixed, he seemed to have pushing straight down much better. LOL

We have changed our schedule up a little. Having someone here at night EVERY night instead of during the week. Seems like that works better for all of us.

We are trying to go to church EVERY Sunday. Yes, it will cost us, but for our family, its a worthy investment. We love our church family so very much, so there as no argument or discussion. We will make it to church as much as we can, and for us that's at least Every Sunday. We've gone for the last 5 Sundays, and I'm telling you, having that connection and fellowship with others is AWESOME. Its been powerful for all of us. Even the kids were glad to know, that they would not be missing out on services anymore.

Don't get me wrong. Having our own van to get to and from places, church, dr. appointments would be helpful. Awesome even. But we haven't met our financial goals yet.

We also have found out that we have a housing situation that we are now having to deal with. Our Landlord that has rented to us for the last four years, has decided to sell the house that we are living in. So, we are in the process of looking for a new place to live. PLEASE, Please, please keep us in your prayers. For some this is a piece of cake. Moving? Meh, no Problems. 

I wish i could say the SAME THING.

Did I ever think that  I would have to move my whole house, and my family and Robs needs, equipment and all out of the house we are in now?! NO WAY?!

BUT this is our Dilemma.

Realistically, he wont give us a move out day, but we know its 

inevitable.

We want to beat the inevitable, to the punch.

In a wonderful world, there would be a place for all of us, Cat, Dogs, Kids, wheelchair daddy, and mommy, TOMORROW, BUT

Not the case.

I'm in prayer that God has something better for us than where we are. I'm just not sure where that is.

Please keep us in your prayers as we look for a new home for us all.

New updated Hottness of my husband. :)

Robert

Van poster

Patience

Everyone struggles with patience.

This is a super fast world. Everything is fast. Fast food, Fast lanes of traffic  fast paced work environment.

I think during this whole process, Rob and I have learned so much. But one of the number one things we've had to learn is Patience. We don't ask for it, because we get tested on a daily basis.

Patience with each other, with the caregivers, home nurses, therapy, equipment companies, FEDEX, UPS, postal service, the transportation service. Its goes on and on. Its never ending.

Recently Roberts Power chair went out. Its a small thing that can be fixed, but we are having to wait on the chair part for it to get fixed. I wondered why it couldn't be overnighted Today has been a week we have been waiting for it. Said it would be here on Monday, here it is Thursday. No Part.

So right now we are currently borrowing a standard wheelchair from the medical supply company so that he can in some way get to and from his therapy appointments. Its not comfortable. Its not HIS chair. No cushion just a plain, standard, hospital chair.

He's having to be patient, because it means, he goes back to relying on other people (me mostly) to push him around. When, in his power chair, sans opening the front door, he was doing all of that on his own. Least to say, he's back at square one.

He's also had to be patient waiting on the chair that he recently ordered. His power-assisted Manual chair. This chair isn't for anyone but him to push. It has power assisted wheels so that if he doesn't need help pushing, the chairs wheels will finish the "push" for him. How Cool is that?!

It should be here any day...parts are slowly trickling in to the equipment company that will be putting it together for him.

I'm very excited for him, because this will not only give him a better opportunity to get around, but its just going to also help his whole upper body as well. Pushing his own chair, will give him more of his upper body strength back. Which is definitely one of his goals.

The level of determination in him is immeasurable. Its inspiring and very admirable.

So exciting to see things slowly progressing. 

I never thought we would be at this stage of his recovery, but I couldn't be more happier for him, for us.

Patience....

I've never had it. Not very much of it.

If it doesn't get done in the next five minutes by the person that is responsible, move over I'll do it myself!!!

;) That's just been my personality. Get it done or move over.

Patience for a van.

Now, this Van Fund, the fundraising, has really been something I have truly had to sit back and let happen. Let the road go where it will, so to speak.

We have been so surprised, elated, thrilled, speechless at times and utterly humbled at the blessings we have received so far.

We are half way there and its only because of the readers, supporters, and prayer warriors out there. I know your lifting us up  in your hearts, thoughts and prayers. I personally can't tell you how much that means to me and Robert.

the flyer, if anyone needs to print to share. You have our permissions.

Rob's Bands

For some of you these look very familiar. These bands are what we are selling to raise more money/donations for Roberts Van.

We are currently selling them for $2. People have given that for a band, some have turned around and given $20 for it, then handed it back to sell to someone else..

How awesome is that?!

If you would like a band, please get in touch with me or Robert.

Holspowell@gmail.com

bigrobpowell@gmail.com

If you think you know that you can sell some in bulk, we would be happy to discuss how we can assist you in that.

These bands are available in Adult and Kids sizes.

THE van

The Van that we are looking to purchase. This is a picture of what you will be donating towards! A Picture says 1,000 and 1 words.http://www.openroadmobility.com/view.php?v=1&t=DS315140 — in Lubbock, TX.

Looks like just your ordinary van, right?!

Well, inside this baby is a whole new world for this family.

Outings, Dinners, Church, Trips, The Park, Etc.

This Van will take Robert to Therapy, and Even his Dr. Visits.

Is it ours? No.

What will it take? Your Help

Your promises. Your Pledges to help support us. Your Support to help Finance this big price tag.

How big you say? The modifications are already approved and waiting to be paid for if we come

up with the money for the van itself. $30,000 is what we need to pay for this.

Why don't we just borrow it from the bank, you ask?

Well, when Robert had his accident, his pay was slightly reimbursed to him by workers compensation. He only gets 2/3's of his income that he was making before the accident.

If we took on a car payment, it would make us destitute.

We just can't afford a car note.

Well, that is where everyone comes in.

Donations, Fundraisers, Prayers, and such.

If you want to help but can't financially, please pray for that $30,000 goal to be met.

FUNDRAISER #1

A friend of mine seems to have taken what I have {in one way or another} dropped in her lap and run with it.

I know she wanted to help in any way she could. This is what she came up with for a small fundraiser.

I was thrilled when she emailed me her idea, and loved what she had come up with.


So in order to raise money "anyway we can".....


Here is our first fundraiser! Thank you so much Beth for all your hard work!
Rob and I thank you. I know that you will be blessed for your good works.

Check this out if you are interested in helping. Do you Buy Coffee or tea at your local grocery? Would you rather it mean something when you make that purchase.?

If you buy your Coffee and teas through Harvest House, 50% of the profit will go towards the Van Fund that we so desperately need to raise money for.


http://harvesthousecoffee.com/rob-powell/


I couldn't think of a better way to spend my  money on for  my Coffee and Tea! Remember, Half of what you spend goes to that VAN.

Share this Blog, Share this link to all your friends, family, relatives, and church members. Please Get the message out. The more people that know about this, the better.


Thanks everyone and God Bless

March Update: Fundraiser

For so many people we take for granted the ACT of DRIVING

When you want to run to the store, 

when you get mad, 

when you need to go out for a gallon of milk for your wife, 

when you just want to go DRIVE, 

we jump in our cars, or trucks. 

Rob CAN'T.

Yes, He does take the taxi to and from therapy.

But, what you don't understand is that if we don't 

pay a fee for the taxi service or the like,

he doesn't get out at All. 

He, my friends, is stuck at home.

To Watch TV, maybe go outside and watch the kids play with their sidewalk chalk

or ride their bikes.

If you know Rob, you know he was an active person. Outgoing, Active. Always, going, doing, playing with the kids.

Yes, he played computer games,

built computers on the side,

but to be confined to the inside on a daily basis for the last 7 1/2 months?

I can't imagine. Because the things he enjoyed indoors, he can't do now.
Watching television is all he can do now.

I can only empathize with him.

Be there with him, praying that somehow we can change the situation.

We already know workers compensation will not pay for a van, but only for the modifications to a van no older than 5 years. (2008)

Rob and I got a couple of quotes from a company that deals with BraunAbility

These vans with the BraunAbility modifications are complete.

It means you leave the lot with the modifications already done.

Many times people that purchase a van they want modified have to wait upwards of 6 months 

to receive their vehicle.  That's just how long it takes for modifications to be made I guess.

We could bypass the wait altogether.

The quotes we were given:

Workers compensation will pay $24,000 for modifications

That leaves $30,000 that we have to pay for the van itself.

$30,000?!

For some it doesn't seem like a big deal.

In reality we just don't have that kind of money in our back pockets.

Rob and I are asking that you would pray with us for the

finances to come together.

This brings us to thoughts of a fundraiser.

We will be having a fundraiser in the future. We haven't determined a date yet.

We have narrowed it down to a food fundraiser here in San Angelo, TX.

So here is my request:
 If you would like to help. If you know people that could help.

If you would like to volunteer your time, money or energy.

Please contact me at my email: Holspowell@gmail.com

or my Cell: 325-374-7940
Donations can be made to our bank at
Prosperity Bank
Robert/Hollie Powell
We are truly focused on Roberts recuperation , and helping him progress in his daily life.

Physically, Emotionally, Mentally

Not all pictures are smiles and laughter. Like the one above. One moment can say so much.

I wanted to share this picture

because it such an expression of what is going on in Roberts life right NOW.

Psalm 37:4

Take delight in the Lord,

    and he will give you the desires of your heart.

Prone on his elbows today.

Watch "8 months and counting" on YouTube