A show of support for Robert Browne

Fundraiser at the Inn benefits local teen paralyzed in surfing accident

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About 200 people attended a fundraiser at the Inn on Nov. 8 to show their support for Robert Browne, a 13-year-old Long Beach Middle School student who was paralyzed in a surfing accident last summer.

“He’s got good spirits and he’s just plugging along,” said Robert’s uncle, Thomas Browne.

The event featured about 100 raffle items and live music by Brian Monaghan, and raised money to assist Robert and his family pay for medical and living expenses related to his disabling spinal cord injury.

Robert has since returned to school, his uncle said, but is still undergoing rehabilitation. The Brownes have also returned home — their house was destroyed by the Hurricane Sandy, and for nearly two years, during its reconstruction and elevation, Tim Browne and his boys had been living in a trailer parked outside. In fact, construction was nearly complete when Robert was injured, and the family was just weeks away from moving back in.

Tim had to cover the costs of the home’s elevation, new foundation and other repairs, since neither his insurance company nor the Federal Emergency Management Agency would reimburse him for those costs. He also emptied his retirement savings to help complete the work, Thomas Browne said.

After Robert’s accident, in addition to the overwhelming medical bills, Tim faced the daunting task of making additional renovations to accommodate Robert, including wider hallways and the installation of an elevator.

The family received help from the Testaverde Fund for Spinal Cord Injury Inc. and Montauk We Hope, two charitable organizations that helped organize a fundraiser on Sept. 19 at the Bridgeview Yacht Club to raise money for the Browne family. All proceeds from the event went toward a special-needs trust set up in Robert’s name. The money raised at that event helped pay for the installation of the elevator and a disability-suitable van for Robert, Thomas Browne said.

“The support has been fantastic,” Thomas said. “Some of the work was paid for by the money we raised at the September fundraiser.”

For more information or to donate, visit www.teamrobertbrowne.org.