Robert's Accident
On Friday, 20th of July, Rob Kyler went on a bike ride he’s been traversing for 20 years. Unfortunately, it turned out differently than the uneventful past. While going downhill in Westfield, Rob suffered a bike accident which has resulted in a spinal cord injury involving his mid-back, and leaving him with paralyzed legs. He was wearing a helmet and had no head injury but did also sustain an irritation of the spinal cord in his neck, resulting in pain in his arms, which hopefully will be temporary.
While going downhill, as he began tucking, his bike wheel leaned to the shoulder and once their caught the gravel, resulting in Rob literally going head over heels as he abruptly stopped. The helmet took impact on the front and side, likely leading to a direct hit or whiplash to the lower cervical (neck) spine and ending up with a full fracture of his thoracic (mid) spine and rupture of the spinal cord at the T8 level. Rob was immediately aware after the accident that he could not feel or move his legs and that his arm was sore.
He underwent an operation to stabilize and fuse his thoracic spine later in the day Friday at UPMC Hamot hospital in Erie, PA and underwent a second surgery to relieve some disk impingement in his cervical spine on Sunday, July 21st. He received all the “right care” immediately, including steroids before transport and was airlifted over to Hamot, and then had the surgery.
As a result of the accident, he has no feeling or voluntary muscle use in his legs and has some shooting pain in his hands. He is receiving excellent care at the hospital and the next step after stabilization will be rehabilitation, which is expected to take a few months and will likely occur in Atlanta or Pittsburgh. Nancy, Rob and Rob’s brothers Karl and Haas, along with Rob & Nancy’s kids Jordan and Alex are together in Erie and appreciate very much the love and support from the community here.
We will keep you updated on Robert's progress over these next few months. Rather than email and text message, we would love for this platform to be a way to communicate with us.
Comments (59)
Thanks Jordan, love to you all and a special hug for your Mom! Emily Reed
Lots of warm hugs and positive energy to Rob and family. Cheri Moran
Jordan, Thanks so much for setting this up. It's brilliant. Now we have a place to express our love and concern for Rob and your family. And hopefully they will reach out to let us know how and when we can help. Love to all of you, Liz and Bob Schreiber
Dear Jordan, What a wonderful idea! Please know that Ross and I are keeping your dad and all of you in our thoughts and prayers. We are standing by ready to help in any way we can. Please let me know. I know right now, prayers are the most important, so we along with many others are working on keeping you covered. Much Love, Muffie
Thank you for this, Jordan. We’re rooting for Rob and so glad he has you, Alex and Nancy with him. Looking forward to seeing Rob back home, and until then eager to help in any way possible.
We are here for each of you. Hugging you as individuals and as a collective. Looking forward to those toasts. Krista
Thought and prayers for all of you. Let us know what we can do. - Chris & Betsy Carosa
Thank you for sharing and the update on your Dad. Thinking of you all, sending hugs and praying. Happy to know he is surrounded by his loving family. Looking forward to hearing about his progress!! Mary Ann
Jordan, my heart hurts for your family. You are all in my prayers from this moment forward. Love, Carole Shriver
Oh Jordan what a wonderful way to keep us apprised of your father's progress. Please know you are all in our thoughts and prayers. We look forward to helping however possible when he is back in Staunton. Mark and Sugie Battin
Rob, Nancy, Alex and Jordon - Remembering you daily during Rob’s recovery. 🙏🏻
This is wonderful! The photo makes us smile. Lots of love xoxo
Thank you for setting this up. Rob, Nancy and family - all of you are in our constant thoughts and prayers.
Thank you so much for sharing as you are constantly in our thoughts, love to you all❤️
Thank you for setting this up Jordan. I’m sorry I missed you the other day. I’m thinking of you all each day! Go Team Kyler!!!!
Thanks for sharing what is a very difficult story to tell. Your father is a very strong determined fellow and you and your family’s love and support are already making a powerful difference I am sure. We are praying for Rob and his family every day. The Larsens
Rob, Nancy, Alex, and Jordan, my thoughts and prayers are with you. As is the case with everyone responding, please let us know if there is anything at all we can do to help. I look forward to everyone being home where we all can provide help and support.
Jordan, what a great way to share! Please know that I'm keeping all of you in my thoughts and prayers, and most especially your dad... lots of love. Susanna
Thanks for setting up this site. Keeping Rob, and all of you, in our prayers.
Keeping you and your family in our thoughts and prayers. I feel a thousand miles away in Souderton, but know that our prayers for a speedy and full recovery are with you. John Landes
Sending thoughts and prayers from the Murphy family-Sue, George, Kathleen, Mhoire, and Ryan
Sending heart, prayers and hugs from the Boslands.
This is such sad and shocking news. We are praying for Rob’s recovery and for Nancy, Jordan, and Alex. Love to you all.
Following Rob’s progress with great interest, love and concern. Holding you all close as you begin this new journey. Enid (Good) Dunbar
Nancy, Rob and family: thinking of you --- Catherine and Jim Clinger
Thinking of you all and praying for Rob to recover. Thank you Jordan for keeping us informed.
Just heard of Rob's accident. Hate that all are having to go through this difficult time. Thank you for letting us know. Praying for a good recovery.
Thank you Jordan. Love to all of you. Good to know he's getting excellent care. Best wishes to Rob for a speedy recovery. xo
Thinking of you and your family; sending prayers for healing.
Thinking of and praying for all of you. Dr. Kyler is such a wonderful guy. I’m sure you guys have everything covered but if there is anything I can do please don’t hesitate to ask! Sending my love! Please let him know I’m thinking of him.
There are many, many people from all parts of your life who would love to be able to help Rob heal, and to help your family adapt. Sarah and I are among them. We're hoping for the best, for all of you.
Greg and Esther Pfaff We remember your family fondly when Sarah attended Hunter McGuire with Jordan. Sending prayers for your speedy and successful recovery.
You are in our thoughts and prayers. Anne and Steve Odland
What a great website. Rob I love that picture of you and here's one to you as well for such a positive attitude. Looking forward to positive updates
Dr. Kyler - I am sorry to hear of your accident and injuries. I'm now working at WWRC, and I witness the awesome journeys of amazing folks with similar challenges daily. Lean on your faith, family, and friends to sustain you day by day. You will be in our thoughts and prayets. Monica and Steve Lincoln.
Rob Karen and I want to send our love to you and to let you know that you and your family are in our thoughts and prayers and we will give our support in anyway possible to help you through this most difficult time ahead. Bill
I remember all the care you gave to me during my cancer treatment and the confidence you instilled in me for my recovery. Now I give it all back to you with my prayers that you will have a full recovery. Praying for you and your family. Carol Jo Mills
Robert, I'm so sorry to hear about the bike accident. Wishing you a rapid and as complete a recovery as possible.
As a regular bike commuter in a family of cyclists, I must say you are living my nightmare. No surprise, your positive attitude and dedication are propelling you forward now. Sending healing thoughts from your ASCS pal in Seattle - Judith Wood
Rob, we are constantly keeping you, Nancy and all the family in our thoughts and prayers. You are truly blessed with all the love from your family and friends. Keep the faith and hang in there and please let us know how we can help you all in any way. -Jane & Jake
To Rob, all the gillocks are praying for your continued strength and determination which we know you have. Don’t give up! And to Nancy, Jordan, and Alex we pray for your strength and determination to support Rob. We are here for you as you know. Love to you all.
Hi Rob. I am inspired by your spirit and attitude. I know with your strength you will rehab quickly, but I will pray it will be even faster! God bless you and your family. Both your children were in preschool with my Sam and Kaiti.
Rob-- So very sorry to hear about your accident. Catherine and I are thinking of you and sending all of our positive energy and healing white light your way. John and Catherine Connolly
Sending healing thoughts and our love your way - the Trefts - McEvoy Family
So sorry to hear about your accident. One of the first doctors at the RMH Regional Cancer Center, you were & are, much beloved by patients and staff. As an avid biker, I understand the joy of riding & was devastated to hear of your accident. Although the journey ahead will be hard, you will do an amazing job and find new ways to enjoy life. Know you are in our hearts & prayers . Lou (& Frank) Emswiler
What a devastating blow to your family! But, what a strong family you have which will pull you all through these difficult times into better days. Hang in there, cry, stay tough, and know that you are all in our thoughts and prayers. You can conquer this and will! We're all here to support you. Love, Barbara and Bob
Rob sorry to hear about your accident yet inspired by your resilient message. Ran across this this quote/story the other day from Christopher Reeve. He told of being asked often after first Superman, “What is a hero?” His response at the time was a hero was someone who commits a courageous action without considering the consequences. Years later his definition evolved to be completely different; a hero is an ordinary individual who finds strength to persevere and endure in spite of overwhelming obstacles. Will keep you in my meditations and prayers, Brad and Bonnie
Rob, all the Schrock-Hursts are thinking and praying for you and your family in these difficult days. We are so sorry for this loss. May you experience hope, peace, and love as you soak in the heartfelt prayers, kind deeds, and loving concern of a multitude of friends.
Dr. Kyler, I am just this minute aware of your accident. I am still in shock, but want you to know my love, thoughts, and prayers are with you and your family. When you get back to work, I may have to come out of retirement one more time, just for the privilege of working with you again. Mandy Baker
Rob, we are upset by this shocking news of your bike accident. It wasn't possible for us to be at the reception for your dear mother at the Discipleship Center and we regret that very much, especially since we could not be there to support you and your brothers and all the family members. We sincerely hope that your recovery will be rapid and complete; your spirit is just really admirable. Our constant thoughts and prayers. Jay and Peggy Landis
We are shocked and saddened by this news, but are so thankful that your family is together supporting each other. We are praying for strength and healing for each one of you. Kathy & Larry Whitten
We are keeping you in our thoughts and prayers. - Steve and Stephanie Pence
Such heartbreaking news! Our thoughts, prayers, and love go out to you Rob and your family.
Gail & Tom Bundrick We are so very sorry to hear of this tragic event, Rob. We wish you and your family peace, faith, love and strength during this difficult time. Pain is real and so is hope. Continued prayers and blessings to you and your family.
Rob, We’re so sorry to learn of your accident. Please be assured you and your family are remembered as we pray for your recovery, peace and comfort. Paul and Carol Yoder
I was shocked to hear of your accident and injury today, Rob. Thinking of you and your family, wishing you a full recovery. Susan Newsome
Rob- John Petersen just notified me about your injury. I am terribly sorry that this happened. From what I can tell from the posts it sounds like you are receiving the best possible care. If there is anything I can do to help during the recovery process please let me know (email is best: [email protected]). This is such a tough time for you and your family, but based on my experiences caring for patients with this type of injury you should know that things will look much, much better down the road than they do right now. Matt Howard U. Iowa Neurosurgery
Dr. Kyler and Nancy, Please know you are in my prayers. Please let me know if I can help in any way. I'll help with the fur babies if you need help with them.
Our thoughts and prayers will be with you every night starting tonight. I will never forget the excellent care, treatment and compassion you have given my patients . I know that The Great MD, Jesus Christ will take good care of you! ...surgeons treat and God heals!