BY STEFANIE BOWMANN, Eastern Shore Post —
Two years after a vehicle accident left him paralyzed, 22-year-old Kalab Robinson has spent a total of seven months in rehabilitation and is ready to get out more and spend time at his favorite places with family and friends.
His world changed on Aug. 6, 2022, when he was driving home from Cape Charles, where the young waterman had been practicing for a boat-docking contest.
Robinson, unaware that he was suffering from severe dehydration, passed out, and his vehicle crashed, breaking his neck at the C4 vertebra.
After several weeks in Sentara Norfolk General Hospital, Robinson was released. His mother, Maria Stevens, advocated for him to be transferred to the Shepherd Center in Atlanta for rehabilitation.
When Robinson arrived at rehab, the only movement he could make below his neck was shrugging his shoulders.
Some thought he had little chance to improve, but his family believed in him, Stevens said.
After two separate stays at the Shepherd Center, one for four months and another for three months, Robinson regained much of the use of his arms and left hand and could independently brush his hair and teeth, his mother said.
He also has rebuilt his core strength enough to get in and out of his wheelchair by himself.
Maria Stevens said doctors had advised that it would take up to two years for her son’s muscles to “wake up” for rehab.
That time passed without Robinson regaining any movement in his legs, meaning he is unexpected to walk again. He also is unable to move the fingers on his right hand.
However, Robinson is looking forward to a third trip to the Shepherd Center sometime in 2025 to build on his previous successes and work toward further independence.
He wants to learn how to dress himself next, Stevens said.
At the family residence in Machipongo, money from a previous fundraiser was used to add accessible features to the home, including a wheelchair ramp, interior sliding doors, and a roll-in shower.
Robinson is ready to “roll outside and see some people,” but his current mode of transportation, a modified 12-passenger van, is less than adequate, Stevens said.
The portable wheelchair ramp that Robinson uses to get into the van weighs 70 pounds and can be difficult to handle, she noted.
The steep ramp becomes so slick when it’s wet that it causes the wheels on Robinson’s wheelchair to spin, preventing him from entering the van and traveling when it rains.
The amount of space needed to accommodate the large vehicle and wheelchair ramp also prevents him from attending events with limited parking.
At the top of the family’s wish list is an accessible van with a built-in wheelchair ramp that locks safely in place, which will cost about $20,000 to $25,000 secondhand.
The accessible van will give Robinson more freedom to travel when he wants to go to his favorite places, accompanied by his favorite people.
He looks forward to being able to use the Eastern Shore’s beaches and nature trails, attend concerts and festivals, have cookouts with his friends and visit with their families.
Robinson also needs reliable transportation so he can return to the workforce. He has already received a couple of offers for jobs doing office work.
To raise the money for the accessible van, friends, family, and community members have come together to plan a benefit oyster roast that will also feature live music, barbecue, a cash bar, and a silent auction. Tickets are $50 each.
The event will be held on Saturday, Nov. 16, from 3 to 9 p.m., at Scott Farms, 4301 Townsend Drive, Cape Charles.
To purchase tickets to the event, visit https://tinyurl.com/2hakuf59
Visit https://tinyurl.com/atyjdxzz to donate to the Kalab Robinson GoFundMe.
