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The Paynes
Robin and Ralph Payne reside in Douglasville, a suburb of Atlanta, GA., where they've resided for 13 years. They've been married for an impressive 15 years and have two children, Brannon 14, and Brittany 13. Robin is employed by a telecommunications company that works primarily with the payphone industry. Ralph is a very talented auto mechanic and is employed by a small shop in Smyrna, just north of Atlanta.
Ralph and Robin are two of the nicest people one could hope to meet. Both are willing to do anything to help out anyone in need, regardless of the situation. They are very active members of the Georgia Bounty Runners Four Wheel Drive Club and have both participated in virtually every special event that the club has been involved in, from work weekends to events at Dixie Run and the SFWDA Summer Conventions.
Robin's hobbies include researching her family's genealogy. She has made numerous trips and spent countless hours on the phone, building an impressive account of her family's history. She has recently been given an achievement award for her work in this area. Robin also plays an active roll in her church and within her children's school.
Ralph's hobbies are of course, 4x4 related. He spends most of his time helping other club members build their trail vehicles and when his time allows, works on his own 1994 Jeep Wrangler and 1968 Ford Bronco.
Brannon and Brittany are the typical teenagers whose interest include movies, video and computer games and of course, they both love 4 wheeling with their parents! Brannon wants to be a Fighter Pilot and Brittany who always love animals, wants to be a Veternarian.
Donation
Ralph, is an Auto Mechanic by trade. Mechanics are paid by the job, if they are not turning the wrench they are not making money. They are a dual income family. For him to be by her side, where he needs to be, he is not going to be generating an income to support his wife and two teenaged children, Brannon & Brittney. Thankfully Robin's job did provide insurance that will cover a lot of the medical bills.
Our club is trying to raise some money to help cover the loss of income while Ralph takes care of Robin.The Georgia Bounty Runners has set up a fund on Robin's behalf. If you have it in your heart and can spare a few dollars it would be greatly appreciated and go a long way in helping this family.
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How This Horrible Situation Began
Robin Payne was on her way home from work on Tuesday, November 5th, 2002. It was a dark, rainy evening and the Atlanta weather had been quite wet for several days prior. According to the accident report, Robin's Ford Explorer apparently hydroplaned and veered off the road. The vehicle struck two trees, the second of which caused massive damage to the rear of the vehicle. Robin's seat broke loose, allowing her to be thrown into the rear right passenger door. Robin was found by another motorist who noticed the headlights shining up from the low area where her Explorer came to rest after the accident. This person reported that the vehicle was still running, but she could see no one inside. It wasnít until each window had been peered into that they saw Robin laying unconscious, in the back of the vehicle.
Robin was rushed to trauma unit at Grady Memorial Hospital in downtown Atlanta. Her injuries were found to be substantial. She had a severe concussion resulting from a skull fracture. There were broken bones in her neck and massive injuries to her spinal cord and the vertebrae in her back. Robinís spine was both cut and crushed, resulting in paralysis from what the doctors say will be the waist down. Her family was told that there was no chance she would walk again. Robin underwent surgery to have pins inserted in the vertebrae that were able to be repaired and to have steel rods inserted on either side of her spine, for the purpose of strengthening her back and allowing her to sit up straight.
Robin was admitted to the hospitalís intensive care unit, where she was placed on a ventilator to assist her in breathing. After almost a week, the ventilator tube was removed and Robin underwent surgery to have a trachea tube inserted and a feeding tube placed into her side. Shortly afterwards, Robin developed a high fever caused by an infection and she apparently had an allergic reaction to the antibiotics she had been given. There was immediate concern that the infection might be in her spinal fluid and a spinal tap procedure was performed. Thankfully, the infection was found not to be in the spinal fluid but in another area that would be easier to treat. There was still some swelling of her brain tissue and measures were taken to help correct this situation.
Robin will be transported to Atlanta's Shepherd Spinal Center as soon as her condition permits. Shepherd is reputed to be one of the finest spinal injury treatment and rehabilitation facilities available. The road to Robin's recovery will be a long and difficult one for her. Please continue to keep Robin in your prayers and thoughts. The Payne family has expressed their heartfelt gratitude for the support they have and continue to receive.
For an update on Robin's condition, please click HERE
Recent Photos of Robin and family
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