Bobby started driving again two years after his injury. While going through driver training he was told that driving from his wheelchair would be a lot easier, but of course Bobby does nothing the easy way. So he insisted the dealership install a 4-way power transfer seat in his new ride. When the van was delivered Rohan spent the next 2 to 3 hours transferring back and forth, perfecting his transfer. Other quads with the same injury level as Bobby cannot believe he does this until they see it for themselves.
Bobby also attended school, a junior college. It was great for meeting people but school was not his forte. When he was injured he was doing exactly what he loved to do, participating in sports. And with this love of sports, Bobby found the tool to reach out to others. The majority of individuals with spinal cord injuries are male, ages 17-25, and sports is usually the reason. Bobby would go back to the hospital to talk to newly injured patients at the request of the hospital staff. He also attended their support groups. They knew that he could help. “A lot of people step out of their paralysis, and don’t know who they are, they don’t think they can do the old things, but they’re wrong. It’s all in their mind, because if you want to, you can do anything you set your mind to.”
He became an inspiration for other people with disabilities, such as Anthony Orefice. When a motorcycle accident left Orefice a paraplegic 15 years ago, he thought he could no longer be active. He remembered: “The therapist took me on an outing to show me that I could play tennis from a wheelchair. I insisted that I couldn’t do it. I thought they were crazy. How could I push a wheelchair and play tennis? Then I saw some people tape a tennis racket to this guy’s arm. I didn’t know him at the time. They told me that they had to tape it because he couldn’t hold a racket. I was like, ‘What!’ And here I was a paraplegic. Then this guy, Bobby, hit the ball over the net and said, ‘Hey Para! What did you say you couldn’t do?’ I grabbed the racket and hit the ball back. From that day forward I learned to ‘Never say never’. Bobby wished that he were a paraplegic, but he was a quad. And there I was complaining when he said, ‘Dude, I can’t move my fingers, what are you complaining about?’ Bobby inspired me. We became good friends right after that. Now, I’d do anything for that guy. He helped me adjust. Bobby has done the same thing for so many other people.”
At age 25 Bobby decided to take on a new challenge and tackle the workforce. He met the new owner of
Rehabilitation Design where he often went to have his wheelchair worked on. He convinced the owner to give him a job. When the owner asked him, “What can you do?” he replied, ”I’m not sure, but I won’t let you down.” He attended numerous courses on Seating and Positioning, gaining experience at a job that was not easy even for most able bodied. The job consisted of a lot of traveling, going in and out of customers homes, measuring them for a wheelchair and providing unique customer service. He did this himself with only occasional assistance, and in less than a year he became one of their top salespeople.
Bobby’s favorite haunts are country western dance bars. He likes the music, the people, the atmosphere, and participating in some of the dancing. Karen, Bobby’s regular dance partner and good friend had been telling him, for several months, about this wonderful woman she knew who would be perfect for Bobby. In 2002 the introduction of Ellen by Karen finally happened. That night Ellen replaced Karen as Bobby’s dance partner, ending with a kiss on the dance floor. Two years later they were married. Not only did Bobby gain a wonderful wife, Ellen, he also became a terrific step dad to Melody. Melody, who is now 16 years old, is a really sweet kid, who has a severe seizure disorder. Ellen and Bobby recently marked the completion of five amazing years as husband and wife. If you believe "No one will ever love me, because I am in a wheelchair,” Bobby will tell you to start believing in yourself and the right person will find you.
“I’m the same person I was before my accident,” Rohan said, “except now I’m in a wheelchair. Each and every morning I wake up with that challenge of every beginning, with the obstacles to get through the day and the desires to finish the evening. I face these challenges every day because of the life that has been given to me. The love of my friends, family, children and wife inspire me to live each and every day like it was my last. I feel blessed to be a person who lives life to the fullest with a spinal cord injury.
This past March at the newly formed Good Will Industries Fitness Center for the Disabled, Rohan created a triathlon for himself, using three machines, which provided swimming, biking and running movements for designated distances. The event has been christened ‘Fit for Life with Spinal Cord Injury’. Bobby is hoping there will be a Second Annual Fit for Life with Spinal Cord Injury including other competitors.
“At first, this was something that I was going to do, one time, for myself because it marked the 20th anniversary of my spinal cord injury,” said Rohan. Then he realized an event of this kind could inspire other people with spinal cord injuries to do triathlons. He also decided to use the event to raise money for the WYNGS, Ralph’s Riders and the fitness center.
Today Bobby is Vice President of two tremendous non-profit organizations: WYNGS, (When You Need Group Support) and Ralph’s Riders (Empowering Lives). Both organizations provide support groups, peer counseling and grants for individuals in need. WYNGS will honor Bobby this May 3rd for changing peoples’ lives. He will be awarded The Stephen Aroff Memorial Award for outstanding contributions to the community.
17 and still in high school with my whole life still ahead of me. Scared and frightened about what life was about to offer me, I made a decision with myself not to give up and fight a hundred percent in the new journey I was facing.”
While spending the next six months in the hospital, he demonstrated to the doctors and his family that almost nothing could stop him. He decided to use a manual wheelchair, even though the therapists insisted that he use a power wheelchair. Rohan was confident because he could still use his biceps and shoulders to wheel himself. “When I got out of the hospital, my dad took me to the mall almost every day where I could practice wheeling myself around. My first major accomplishment was to gain enough strength to propel my own wheelchair. With intense rehabilitation and exercise I have become independent, able to take care of myself when it comes to dressing, grooming and daily life skills. I then set out to conquer wheelchair sports. I first got involved in quad rugby and have been playing for over 15 years. With confidence I then started to snow ski and water ski. I never stopped myself from trying something like tennis, surfing, hand cycling, road racing or skydiving. Did I even mention six-time world champion over the line player?”
My personal life has also brought me many wonderful successes. I have been able to own my own business and to work with other companies in the wheelchair industry. I’ve also been able to carry out many great things with the volunteer work that I do. I currently run several support groups for those with spinal cord injury and do one on one peer counseling. Today I "Live Strong," fight on and fill myself with a strong attitude to conquer anything that is standing in my way.”
Editor’s Note: Having met Bobby and knowing his parents for several years, it is easy to tell where Bobby gets his terrific sense of humor and can-do-anything attitude. Bobby’s younger brother Matt and his wife Lisa complete this amazing family. Matt became a physical therapist due to an injury he suffered while playing football in high school. Because of his personal experience with injury, his own and his brother’s, Matt is able to relate to his patients and address their needs and concerns with a greater level of understanding. The Rohan family is a tightly knit group yet the fabric expands to include their friends. ‘Once a friend, forever family’ could be the Rohan family motto. WYNGS was a natural fit for Bobby. His ability to help others through difficult times by just being there for them is a gift Bobby first received from his parents. Bobby shares this gift with others in hopes they will, in time, pass it on to another. WYNGS will honor Bobby on May 3, 2009 for changing people’s lives, but really it’s for sharing his gifts.
