SPOKANE -- Friends and family of a recently paralyzed Spokane man are putting their lives on hold to try and make his a little bit easier.
Robert Yamada, 21, was instantly paralyzed this August when he dove from the beach into the waters of Lake Roosevelt. Friends pulled Robert to shore and kept him stable until a medical helicopter arrived to take him to Sacred Heart Medical Center.
Robert will spend the rest of his life in a specialized wheelchair. Just weeks after the accident, Robert was sent to a clinic in Denver, Colorado, that specializes in spinal cord injuries. He's been there for two months, but during that time friends and family have taken it upon themselves to turn the Yamadas' house into one that Robert will be able to move around in with ease.
Robert's uncle, Gaylan Hagen, owns H & H Construction. As a general contractor, he's working with Robert's parents, John and Renea, to help remodel their house, making it handicap-accessible, and creating a whole new apartment just for Robert.
"He wouldn't have been able to come upstairs or downstairs," says Hagen. "We have to make it as normal an environment as we can for him."
They installed an elevator to move between the upstairs and basement quickly and easily. Downstairs is devoted almost entirely to Robert, building a bedroom, bathroom, kitchen and entertainment center for him, all equipped with voice-recognition software to help with things like turning on and off the lights.
John and Renea have spent most of the last few weeks alongside Robert in Denver. But during that time, they say they've been overwhelmed with the amount of generosity and support toward their family.
"I came in last night for the first time to see all of this and my emotions were just out of control," says John. "It's just unfathomable."
Hagen hopes the final touches on construction will be done in about a week. Robert is scheduled to undergo another surgery next week for a heart defibrillator. He comes home from Denver on December 17, just in time for Christmas.
If you want to help the Yamada family, donations or well-wishes can be made through Robert's Caring Bridge website: www.caringbridge.org/visit/robertyamada
To donate time or supplies to the remodeling of the Yamada's home, call Hagen at 509-342-1420.
Previous stories about Robert's fight:
Man paralyzed by jump into Lake Roosevelt
Paralyzed Spokane man speaks first words
