When Robert had a stroke this past January, his first response was, “Are you kidding me?”

He’s the active one, the guy who bikes during his lunch break and works hard to eat right. A stroke at age 51? Inconceivable.

Robert’s also that guy who loves his job. As a promotions manager for a local TV station, his days were often long, but that’s exactly where he wanted to be.

But a stroke changes things. After a hospital stay, Robert’s new “workplace” was inpatient rehab, where he worked at daily physical, occupational and speech therapy. The guy who was used to riding 6 miles easy in 40 minutes was now working the left side of his body so he could walk and use his arm again.

After a few more months at NeuroRestorative, a provider of post-acute rehab to help people with brain injuries relearn activities of daily living, Robert returned to his own home in the spring. Home is supposed to be a place of safety and of comfort, but that’s not entirely the case when you’re challenged with a disability.

Robert, a longtime supporter of the Walton Foundation for Independence, now needed our help. Many people may not know that along with Walton Foundation’s fundraisers and adaptive sports and leisure programs, we also offer a Hope and Independence Fund that’s designed to help people with disabilities without insurance who have a financial need, offering them a helping hand after they’re discharged home.

The name of the fund is no accident. Over Walton’s long history, we’ve found that just a little hope can go a long way to helping people achieve independence. And isn’t that what we all want? The independence to live, work and play successfully in our communities?

Our fund helps achieve that by providing assistive technology, ramps and more. It doesn’t sound like much, does it? But when you’re living with a disability, it means the world.

Through our fund, we helped Robert install hand railings to help him move around his home safely. We also helped him with plans to build and install parallel bars in his garage so that he can continue his therapy at home.

Because Robert’s goal is to walk again. To drive and get back to work. And most of all, “Just independence.”