The heightened awareness is justified knowing that even the smallest knick or cut can cause a person to bleed out. Amongst the hemophilia community there is an underlying trauma associated with what they refer to as “fear of bleeding.” 

Most hemophilia is hereditary and you have it from birth. School sports are rarely an option, limiting social activities. For Robert Weaver, hemophilia was undeterred and refused to allow the fear of bleeding hold him back. So he played sports anyway. His parents weren’t there to tell him no. “I vaguely remember my father leaving when my brother was born and my mother had a tendency to put her own relationships ahead of the family, even though I was disabled.”

But early on Robert discovered he had an innate need to live a full life. “I love reading, traveling, biking. I know it’s dangerous but it is my right to pursue my dreams and not be held back by my experience. Yes, I wasn’t catered to as a kid and, sure, I was neglected. But I chose not to complain. We’ve all been neglected at some point, right?” 

I suppose he is right. Robert has lived through an extreme version of trauma we’ve all felt in some ways in a Bud Light kinda’ way, he just got the Bud Heavy. 

Robert also has scoliosis and neuropathy, which exacerbates his condition especially if he his overexerting himself physically, “I never anticipate hurting myself but it happens.” 

When we spoke to Robert he had recently been accepted to Penn State where he will achieve his lifelong dream of getting a computer science degree. The day we spoke, he had class as well as four different medical appointments. He seemed to be easily balancing a very full day. “Growing up I sort of existed in the crevices and cracks in society,” he said, “and you learn to navigate amongst the puzzle pieces. I suppose having four appointments the day you’re going back to college might be overwhelming to some people, but not me.”

So many people fall through the cracks. But Robert sees them as opportunities for advancement. Today, we get to be one of those valuable cracks.

Robert needs transportation to get to local doctors appointments as well as his classes. In Robert’s application to Chive Charities, he humbly requested a GIO scooter. I honestly thought they didn’t exist except for in memes. But Robert didn’t want something big or expensive, just an easy way to get to and around campus so he can help build a better life for himself and his son. 

Last week, Robert got his GIO. We asked him what it meant to him

“In life you have to keep moving forward. You can’t dwell on the negative emotions or you’ll get caught up in them. Negativity will always move on from you to somebody else. Positively does the same thing. This car is part of me moving forward. Please thank everybody who donated to making this forward momentum a reality for me.”

Thanks, Chivers. 

John 

PS – Last month, we surpassed the 700th recipient for Chive Charities. Robert is recipient #715. With your help, we will be celebrating our 1,000th recipient in early 2028 and won’t that be a great day. Please consider becoming a Green Member and join us on our journey to change the lives of over 1,000 worth recipients like Robert (yes there will be a party when we hit that mega-milestone.) Sign up RIGHT HERE! Thanks again, Chivers.