Giving Back to a Man Who's Given So Much

Robert Ehmer tries to make the best of any situation. His positive attitude may be summed up best by a quote posted on his Facebook page: “Be strong now because things will get better. It may be stormy now but it can’t rain forever.”

This proved true when Superstorm Sandy hit and cold and tired residents were scrounging for gas in the wake of the storm at his BP gas station on Hempstead Turnpike in East Meadow.

With the help of other local businesses, Ehmer served pizza and hot cocoa to those waiting in line - many for hours - to buy fuel for their generators and cars. He struck up conversation with local residents, many of which were without power for days.

One resident, Kristin Pappas, thanked Ehmer for his kindness in a Patch blog written Nov. 6, 2012, eight days after Sandy. Ehmer deflected the praise, stating in a comment: "I can't take the credit for what took place at our gas station ... Our friends at Frantoni's Pizzeria donated pies all day long! Our employees were concerned that folks were getting cold and wanted to do something to help them stay warm. Thanks to all that helped and thanks to our customers for their patience!"

Ehmer suffered a massive heart attack at his home on April 11. His son, Teddy, heard a loud noise and found his Dad on the floor. Paramedics transported Ehmer to St. Francis Hospital in cardiac arrest.

After 45 minutes of CPR, Ehmer had a heartbeat but his body and brain sustained serious trauma. He underwent a myriad of procedures in an effort to stabilize him, including the Arctic Sun Temperature Management System, which induces therapeutic hypothermia.

Medical staff worked hard to maintain his blood pressure but the unfortunate side effects of the medications caused a lack of blood flow to his extremities. This resulted in a below-the-knee amputation.

After nearly two months in the hospital, Ehmer was transferred to an acute rehabilitation center in Westchester and more recently to a sub-acute rehabilitation center on Long Island. He is working to regain speech, motor skills and mobility. His wife, Joanne, and children, Teddy and Maddy, have been at his side.

Ehmer's family and friends started a fundraising campaign on www.gofundme.com to help pay for "ongoing costs associated with hospital expenses, rehabilitation bills, medications, prosthetics, necessary home modifications and other day-to-day expenses they incur."

Janice Pielhop Ortellado, a friend of the Ehmer family, created the Robert Ehmer Recovery Trust Fund. "This is a family that has always put others before themselves and has helped countless people in times of need. We would like to assist them in their time of need to ensure that they can once again have a happy future together as a family," she said.

The campaign has raised $79,065 in 12 days. The goal is $300,000.

If you would like to donate, please make checks payable to the “Robert Ehmer Recovery Trust Fund” and send to Joanne Ehmer, P.O. Box 402
Greenvale, NY 11548.

For more information, or to donate online, click here.