The Robinson Family Farm has become a staple in the Central Texas community this time of year, but the co-owner of the popular pumpkin farm is fighting for his life in the ICU after being diagnosed with a rare condition.
Brian and Helen Robinson have run the Robinson family farm for the past six years, a holiday favorite for Central Texas families. The pair is always on the go but their world has come to a screeching halt.
Brian has been in the ICU for a few days. He is intubated, unable to speak, eating through a feeding tube and is paralyzed from the neck down. His wife of 11 years said the family is doing its best to cope.
"He's the strongest and smartest man I've ever known and to see him weak and scared is tough," Helen said.
Doctors diagnosed the father of five with Guillain-Barre syndrome, a rare disorder where your immune system attacks your nerves. Weakness and tingling in your extremities are usually the first symptoms and can eventually paralyze your whole body, however, a full recovery is possible in some cases. Helen refuses to leave Brian's side during these trying times.
"He's my peanut butter to jelly so to speak and we're a team. That's the biggest thing, we are a team," Helen Robinson said.
Without health insurance, Brian has already racked up thousands of dollars in medical bills as doctors try to bring him back to health. Brian is gearing up for a long hospital stay, so there are more expenses to come. Community members are donating to help the family out.
While Brian's future may seem uncertain, Helen said there are no plans to close the family farm. They hope to keep one small sense of normalcy around for their family while keeping a bit of seasonal magic around for others.
"The simple joys of just being a family, being outside together, finding your first pumpkin, marriage proposals, baby announcements, that's what we're here for. We're here for the community. So for the community to reciprocate that a little bit, is amazing. I wish it weren't necessary but it's appreciated," Helen said.
Helen said Brian's condition is not contagious and that recent farm attendees should not be concerned. It is believed that he may have gotten the disorder after a bad cold but the family is still waiting for more information from doctors.
A Facebook fundraiser has been set up for the Robinson family.
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