Eugene Stroke Update: He's Not Tapping Out
Hey all,
A lot of you probably noticed there was no newsletter [https://eugenesrobinson.substack.com/] and no regular show activity this week. It’s been quiet here at the Show Stomper because I’ve been waiting for clear information and direction from Eugene’s family before saying anything publicly.
Kasia, Eugene’s wife, has now told me Eugene wants people to know what’s been going on…
There is no easy way to say this, Eugene suffered a brain stroke over the weekend.
He is currently in a hospital in Malaga, Spain, that specializes in this kind of care. Kasia has been able to get to him. He has people who love him at his side. He is alive and conscious. He is mentally present. He recognizes and responds accurately to conversation. He is mobile, can walk, and can grab and pick things up. I have also heard that he underwent a procedure for the clot to be cleared today.
Right now, the biggest thing is that he cannot talk yet. NO speech right now.
For anyone who knows Eugene - or has ever listened to five minutes of him - you know how surreal and terrifying that is. This is a man built out of words with nuance and meaning, wild stories, brilliant arguments, clever jokes, riffs, musical prowess and sheer force of will. So yes, this is serious. It is scary. It is a lot.
But there is also real hope here.
Kasia said the doctor seemed positive that with the right treatment and therapy, he should be able to recover.
She also asked him about updating the audience, and he made it clear that yes, he wants people to know now.
Her words were:
“Let people know to wait for him, because he’ll be back.”
So that’s what this is…
Wait for him.
He’s not tapping out.
HE WILL BE BACK.
For now, Stomper may be paused or irregular while everyone figures out next steps. We’ll update you when there is more to share and when Kasia/Eugene are ready for more details to be made public. Rest assured he has a helluva story to tell and will be back to share it, as soon as he is able to.
In the meantime, please use the comments here to leave messages for Eugene. Love, encouragement, support, memories, jokes, music, photos, fight stories, weird little Stomper things - whatever you think might help remind him how many people are out here pulling for him. This post can be the place where the Stomper community gathers around him for now. Leave him something good to read when he’s ready.If you wish to send him something private or long form, I have set up a dedicated email account just for that purpose. Send those to: heymisterrobinson@gmail.com. [http://heymisterrobinson@gmail.com] That’s hey mister robinson (all one word) at gmail.Please do not use this as a place for speculation, weird internet medical advice, random theories, or pressure on the family for more information. They are dealing with an enormous amount right now. I promise to keep you all updated.
Again… Eugene is NOT tapping out – he will be back!
Thanks for supporting Eugene. This post is public, so feel free to share it.
You Are Helping Make His Ongoing Recovery Possible
Kasia wants to thank everyone who has donated to or shared the official GoFundMe [https://gofund.me/6f40e4ce5] she set up.
Since its launch on July 17, the campaign has helped pay for the first few weeks of Eugene’s intensive speech therapy, neurorehabilitation and the practical assistance he needs while he remains unable to return to his regular work.
The generosity matters financially.
It has also mattered emotionally.
Seeing how many people care about Eugene, how many lives he has touched and how quickly people have come together for him has reminded the family that they are not doing this alone.
We still do not know how long his recovery will take or what additional care will become necessary along the way. The GoFundMe [https://gofund.me/6f40e4ce5] remains the best and most direct way to help Kasia meet the family’s current recovery expenses.
If you cannot donate, sharing the fundraiser is also a meaningful way to help.
Eugene’s work has reached people through music, books, journalism, podcasts, martial arts and several decades of stories, arguments, jokes and creative troublemaking. We need help reaching those communities now.
Other Ways to Support Eugene
If GoFundMe [https://gofund.me/6f40e4ce5] is not your preferred option, Eugene’s existing direct Show Stomper support accounts remain active:
💰 PayPal: pinko95014@yahoo.com
💰 Cash App: eugene-robinson-28
💰 Venmo: PlanetOxbow
💰 Zelle: OX_bow@hotmail.com
Please understand that these are Eugene’s established Show Stomper support accounts, not Kasia’s fundraiser. Money sent through them may not reach Kasia as directly or quickly as donations made through the official GoFundMe.
Send Eugene a Message
If you would rather not leave a public comment, you can send Eugene a private written message - or, even better, a short video or audio recording at:
heymisterrobinson@gmail.com [heymisterrobinson@gmail.com]
Those messages will remain there for Eugene to read, watch or listen to when he is ready. Please understand that the volume of support can be overwhelming, and please do not expect a personal reply right now.
The Eugene S. Robinson Show Stomper! is a listener-supported podcast publication. To receive new posts and support Eugene’s work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Eugene is not tapping out – He Will Be Back!
A personal note from June, the Stomper Producer:
For those who know me through The Show Stomper, Bad Boss Brief, my time at VOX, Bloody Elbow, Cageside Seats, or through my freelance business, Orijunel Designs — I’ve been dealing with my own ongoing chronic health and financial challenges behind the scenes while continuing to help keep things running here for Eugene and Kasia.
Kasia was gracious enough to allow me to share a link here to my own personal GoFundMe [https://gofund.me/baad2e704], which I recently created to help with my own chronic medical testing and treatment, mobility and accessibility needs, and the financial strain caused by my declining health and recent reduced ability to work.
This is entirely separate from Eugene’s fundraiser and is simply my own personal request for help.
If you’d like to read more, donate, or simply share it, I’d be incredibly grateful.
This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit showstomper.substack.com/subscribe [https://showstomper.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_2]
