Ruby Robins can still remember the first time she heard her son’s voice. Moments after giving birth, Randy’s persistent cry filled her heart with joy.
This was the beginning of a powerful bond between mother and son, one that shone through many doctor’s appointments, illnesses, and struggles—and most importantly, through two lifetimes of love.
Today, more than 30 years after Randy’s passing, Ruby honors his enduring spirit through a charitable gift annuity that supports Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital Stanford.
A Life of Joy and Resilience
Randy’s first postnatal exam showed that his fontanel, the soft spot on his newborn skull, had already closed. “From that point, life became a real challenge,” Ruby recalls.
After a year of missed developmental milestones, they were referred to a children’s hospital in the Pacific Northwest. There, doctors told Ruby that her son would have profound physical disabilities, but his cognitive abilities were not affected.
Ruby and Randy committed themselves to embracing life with joy, both for Randy and for the children with disabilities that would come after him. His days were filled with school, camping trips, dance parties, good food, and rock and roll music. “He was delightful!” Ruby says. “Everyone who met him was drawn to him.”
Only-at-Stanford Care
Randy also participated in medical research at the hospitals where he received care. Eventually, he was referred to Stanford, before Packard Children’s Hospital was formally established. There, he met trailblazing orthopedist Eugene Bleck, MD.
Dr. Bleck, founder of Stanford’s pediatric orthopedics department, developed many of the first standards of care for children with mobility challenges. For Randy, he created a custom wheelchair that transformed his independence. Randy used this wheelchair for the rest of his life.
An Enduring Light for Children With Disabilities
Randy passed away in 1993 at the age of 32. His family gathered in their backyard for a memorial service. In her eulogy, Ruby said: “Randy was not a great scholar. He invented no cures. He was not successful in business. He didn’t play football. His major success was to make everyone’s life a little brighter and to make all of us who knew him, in some way, a better person.” The family released balloons into the sky to conclude the service.
More than three decades later, Ruby remains committed to advancing care for children with disabilities. Through her charitable gift annuity, she ensures that our shared mission will continue long after she joins Randy.
Ruby’s gift provides her with a fixed annual income for life. When she passes, the remaining funds will support families like hers at Packard Children’s Hospital.
Together, Randy and Ruby’s commitment will help children with disabilities for generations to come. “I will always support Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital,” Ruby proclaims.
If you would like to learn more about achieving your charitable goals through a charitable gift annuity or another kind of planned gift, our team would be delighted to connect!