A message from Susan Harrison
July 9, 2008
From left to right, Bob Cable, Rob, Rob's daughter Elizabeth, from Vermont, and Cliff Heathcote at Cable Airport.
Bob Cable is leaving tomorrow for the environs of Modesto to retrieve what's left of the yellow plane.
It will be a sad homecoming, but it deserves to be honored at the airport where it was based for over 300 airshows.
Rob credits the marvelous strong construction of this wonderful little airplane with his life.
R.I.P.
June 17 , 2008
The Claremont Courier has a story about Rob:
http://www.claremont-courier.com/pages/Topstory061108.1.html
Rob would like to autograph a card for all the children that were at the Modesto Airshow, and send them a Tumbling Bear removable tattoo. So, with your parents' permission, send an e-mail to robharrisontumblingbear@yahoo.com and let us know where we can send it, along with your name. And, as soon as he gets the chance, he'll do that.
You can also click on KidsLink in the website for more goodies to download !
The family would also like to ask anyone who desires to show support to Rob or to inquire about his health not to call the hospital, but instead to leave message on the guestbook below.
Also, please, don't send any gifts or flowers.
We will keep this page updated. Thank you for your understanding.
You can leave a support message to Rob here
Here are the links to some pictures of Rob's recent shows
Warbirds in Action Airshow 2008 by Eric Van Gilder
Cable Airshow 2008 by Eric Van Gilder
Rob's photo profile by Eric Van Gilder
Cable Airshow 2008 by Victor Archer
Point Mugu 2007 by Victor Archer
Cable Airshow 2008 by Clark Cook
May 13, 2008
Rob is doing well, and is moving around.
He is lifting his own legs, and going through physical therapy.
He's eating well.
Today, when waking up in the morning, he first asked where the food was.
May 14, 2008
Rob continues to improve. He's eating 3+ meals a day.
He has been reading some of the posted messages, and really appreciates them !
May 15, 2008
Yesterday, Rob ate a huge meal. Chicken parmesan, linguini, green beans, bread & butter, salad, dessert with whip cream.
And the good thing about it is: he could feed himself, and eat all of it!
May 16, 2008
We know Rob is doing well when he wakes up and says he's hungry.
He is eating regular food, and today, he had a big oatmeal cookie. We all know he's a cookie monster !
May 18, 2008
Rob ate very well this morning, he had a cheese egg omelet, potatoes & bacon, a muffin, orange juice, cranberry juice, coffee & fruit.
He is moving himself around and doing really well with physical therapy.
He is starting to boss everyone around, so he's acting like a grumbling bear!
May 19, 2008
Rob will be having his last surgery tomorrow. The doctors will be closing a wound on his leg.
Your prayers for everything to go well are welcome.
May 20, 2008
Rob is out of his final surgery, and doing well.
When he came in the room, he was hungry, so he ate two brownies, and some sweet bread made by his grandson Liam from Oregon.
Then, he ate a full lunch, and he's now sleeping it off.
In a couple of days, we will be back to Southern California.
A first batch of autographs and tattoos for the kids will go out very soon!
May 22, 2008
I put Rob on a sweets time-out. He overdosed yesterday: six brownies, a cookie, ice cream, pudding and six juices. Plus three full meals.
He's moving around and doing well with physical therapy.
We are waiting for the doctor's approval to return to Southern California.
May 25, 2008
Rob is going home !
He will leave the hospital in a few hours.
Tomorrow, he will celebrate his birthday with a big chocolate cake.
May 24, 2008
We left Modesto with ground transportation to Hayward, CA.
The following morning, we flew home by air ambulance, with a Piper Cheyenne (turboprop) and encountered all kinds of weather, including pouring rain.
T he minute we both were inside the plane, we felt secure, and flew 1 1/2 hours home, landed in San Bernardino, and got to the hospital by ground transportation.
The good news is: Rob will be home for his birthday on Monday! And that will be the start of a long rehab period.
Rob and Susan also read many of the messages posted here, and are really thankful and appreciative.
His wife Susan is at his side 24 hours a day.
May 26, 2008
Rob is real happy to spend his birthday at home !
He read all the cards sent to him, opened all the packages, and already ate some of the cookies sent to him.
He also read all the messages posted on the website.
And he would really like to thank everyone for all the nice gestures. He really appreciates it !
Also, a huge thank you goes to everybody at the Modesto Memorial Center for their kindness and support !
May 29, 2008
Today, we took our first drive in a borrowed dear friends PT Cruiser to see the doctor.
Rob did real well. It was a 45 minute drive.
June 3 , 2008
Today, the message is from Rob:
"Submerged in the mists of unbelievable pain, all stitches were removed today, and the wounds are healing nicely.
So, to celebrate, we ate a buffalo burger for lunch at the Summit Inn on old Route 66."
June 6 , 2008
Today, we enjoyed going to our other home, Cable Airport. It was emotional for Rob.
We enjoyed seeing our friends and had a nice lunch at Maniac-Mike's Cafe.
We then visited our hangars and noticed the empty spot, which sadden us. We will miss the little yellow plane, as it went to heaven.
But, a brand new Zlin 50 which Rob recently finished will patiently wait for Rob.
June 13 , 2008
It's now been a little more than a month since the accident. Today, they removed Rob's leg casts and now wearing ankle braces.They are fashionable and look like skiing boots.
His left hand cast and pins may come off next week. So far, things are looking good and Rob's spirit continues to be strong.
Thank you for all the posted messages. They do make Rob smile.
June 14 , 2008
Rob continues to improve, and all his functions have apparently returned to normal (except for walking, yet).
June 20 , 2008
This is from Rob:
BIG NEWS! The cast and pins came off and out of Rob's left hand today! The pins to which we refer look rather like titanium BBQ skewers, and when the kind and gentle orthopod approached Rob with what looked like a very large pair of stainless steel vise-grips and announced that this may cause a bit of discomfort, we knew we were in for an ordeal. Owowowowowowow.
Rob would like to publicly acknowledge the wonderful care he has been receiving from his medical professionals, and to thank our Mom Madeline for visiting for more than a week and helping out. And, thanks to everyone for their continuing prayers and messages. They must be working.
June 22 , 2008
This morning, we went to one of Rob's favorite places for breakfast, the Summit Inn on old Route 66 at the top of the Cajon Pass.
Joanie his favorite waitress was there and they practically hugged and kissed during our entire breakfast.
Our friend Malcolm is visiting from Cairns, Australia lending us a good hand.
June 29, 2008
Our Aussie friend Malcolm left us today for a trip to, among other places, D.C. He was a huge help, we will miss him.
BUT Rob's daughter Lisa will be here the 5th for a week or so, we are looking forward to seeing her!
Rob continues to strengthen, he can get into his wheelchair without help, and maneuver all around the house by himself.
This means he can get at the cookies while Susan grabs a well-deserved nap! Bad Bear!
As Rob was being wheeled into surgery for his hand, just after the crash, he demonstrated his eternal optimism by asking the distinguished hand surgeon
"Doctor, will I be able to play the ukulele after this?"
The kindly medico answered, "Oh, sure, no problem". "That's wonderful," answered Rob, "I've always wanted to play the Ukulele".
It is amazing that the doctor didn't start cutting right then.
BUT, as Ukulele playing is just the therapy Rob's hand needs, Susan sent for a beautiful Hawaiian Uke for him, so when you come to visit, Rob will play you a Hawaiian song!
We continue to receive wonderful messages from friends and fans from all over the world, and it makes Rob so happy!
Your thoughts and prayers are so appreciated. Rob apologizes for not returning all the messages and e-mails, and promises he will try to do so as he gets stronger.