What would you save if a fire threatened to consume everything you hold dear? Join me, Travis Robinson, alongside my co-host Judy Yarris, as we recount the harrowing moments when flames forced Sarah and me from our home in Altadena. From the heart-wrenching choices on what to rescue—my priceless photography gear and Sarah's cherished handmade furniture—to navigating the chaos of evacuation, our story is one of loss, resilience, and gratitude. With Judy's steadfast support, we also tackle the practical challenges that arise, like securing medication and documenting losses for insurance, and find solace in the immense outpouring of support from our community.
As we navigate this challenging chapter of our lives, we’re overwhelmed by the love and assistance we’ve received from friends both near and far. In this episode, we shine a light on the incredible solidarity that has uplifted us, driven by the very connections we have nurtured through our work with individuals living with Parkinson's. A GoFundMe page stands as a testament to this collective kindness, rallying contributions to help us rebuild. Judy and I share our profound gratitude and reflect on how the spirit of giving and solidarity can help us all rise from the ashes, stronger and more united than ever.
LINK To GFM page: https://gofund.me/e3c2cee4
- Co-hosts: Judy Yaras & Travis Robinson
- Editor & Audio Engineer: (EP1-100) Spencer Yaras
- Audio Engineering Intern: Ana MacAller
- Social Media Intern: Ana MacAller
www.INDYpodcast.net
Episode Transcript
Welcome to the I'm Not Dead Yet podcast.
I'm your co-host, TravisRobinson.
I was diagnosed withParkinson's disease at age 35 in
2014.
(00:23):
2014.
Speaker 2 (00:24):
And I'm your other co-host, Judy Yarris.
My husband, Sandy, hadParkinson's disease for 18 years
.
Speaker 1 (00:35):
I was his care partner.
Today's episode is a littledifferent.
Speaker 2 (01:00):
We're recording it in less than ideal circumstances,
but that's what we have for you.
So just to clarify this, Travisis recording this from a hotel
room, so if you hear odd noisesand strange bells, that's okay,
it may be an alarm.
We're in Los Angeles and wefelt the need to record this
(01:24):
today because Travis and hispartner, Sarah, have lost their
home in the Eaton Fire.
It's hard for me to talk aboutit.
I feel very emotional todayBecause if you could see the
devastation that has occurred inLos Angeles, both on the west
side and the East side, youwould be shocked.
(01:45):
Living here right now withhorrible air control, air
quality and trying to have somefeeling of normalcy because
there is none it takes me back abit to the pandemic.
It takes me back a bit to thepandemic, but then it also takes
(02:06):
me to a different place fromthe pandemic, and so we felt the
need to record this so youcould hear what has been going
on with Travis.
Speaker 1 (02:32):
So, number one, Travis, you and Sarah are safe.
Yes, yes, we got the evacuationnotice on Tuesday night and
that was about one hour afterthe Eaton Canyon fire had
started.
Speaker 2 (02:46):
How far do you live from Eaton Canyon?
Fire had started.
How far do you live from EatonCanyon?
Speaker 1 (02:51):
About six miles.
Speaker 2 (02:55):
Okay, six miles.
Yeah, I knew it was not thatfar and you're in a very woodsy
area.
You're in the foothills ofAltadena.
Speaker 1 (03:05):
Yes, yeah, so a lot of grass.
We are fairly low on the hillas far as we are in what was
considered the lowest risk forfire from our insurance company.
Speaker 2 (03:34):
Well, lucky for that, because at least you were able
to be insured, so that was agood thing.
Speaker 1 (03:40):
Yes.
Speaker 2 (03:42):
So, travis, when you knew you were going to have to
evacuate, how did you determineand you let me know, if you're
okay talking about this, I'massuming you are how did you
determine what you were going totake out with you?
Obviously, the poodles, the twopoodles.
Speaker 1 (04:13):
Right, two poodles and two Cornish Rex cats were at
the dark and trying to findstuff like meds and assistive
(04:39):
devices.
While in the dark and havingthe wind blow so fiercely that
we couldn't open our doors, itreally threw a wrench into my
(05:09):
carefully planned exit strategy.
Speaker 2 (05:16):
Yes, I know the winds were like 70 to 100 miles an
hour, which is unheard of, butI'm glad to hear that you did
think of your assistive devices,your meds.
Did you take all the meds thatyou had in the house, or just
some?
Speaker 1 (05:34):
No, I was not able to take all of them and I lost a
lot of meds.
Okay.
Speaker 2 (05:51):
That's something, travis, that we can talk about,
because I know that Mickey FinePharmacy over in Beverly Hills
is actually refillingprescriptions for people that
have had their houses go down.
So just so you know, and ifanyone is listening on the west
side and you also lost meds,contact them.
(06:12):
They are an amazing pharmacyand they are helping people all
the time.
Contact them, they are anamazing pharmacy and they are
helping people all the time.
So, travis, you got the car.
Did you get both cars out, I'massuming?
Speaker 1 (06:24):
Yes.
Speaker 2 (06:31):
Okay, great, that was good.
And immediately what comes tomind for me after your meds and
your assistive devices is yourartwork.
I know that you have a housewith cameras and lots of
wonderful photographs, lots ofequipment.
How did you determine what youwere going to take?
I?
Speaker 1 (06:50):
grabbed two bags of photo gear and one portfolio.
Everything else was lost.
Speaker 2 (07:07):
Unfortunately.
I'm so sorry.
Speaker 1 (07:11):
I'll probably keep saying that throughout this
podcast.
Speaker 2 (07:14):
I'm so sorry because it's just how I feel.
It's so emotional to think ofthat.
Did you have your passports andthings like that, any papers in
the house that you knew wherethey were?
I know some people don't alwaysknow where they keep things,
but I do know that you are anorganized person with all your
(07:35):
mountaineering gear and things.
Speaker 1 (07:38):
Yes, and so I was able to get my important papers,
backups of most of my recordsand things.
Speaker 2 (08:04):
Good, I'm assuming you grabbed your computer.
Of course, yes, I know it seemslike that's what everyone is
doing.
I'm grabbing my computer and mydrives.
That's what they're grabbingthe backup drives.
I'm grabbing my computer and mydrives, that's what they're
grabbing the backup drives Right.
Was Sarah home at the time.
Speaker 1 (08:24):
Yes, but only for a minute.
She grabbed much less than Idid.
Oh, I'm sorry.
So it's a sobering feelinggoing through the inventory and
(08:50):
just remembering oh, there wasthis and oh, yeah, that.
And don't forget this you know,there are a lot of things that
we had in the home that aredifficult to determine value.
(09:19):
You know, Sarah hand-built mostof our furniture.
Speaker 2 (09:28):
Right, I remember that.
Speaker 1 (09:30):
How do you value that ?
Well, you know cost of lumber,I mean.
Speaker 2 (09:39):
Yeah, you can't, but you have to find a way, as any
artist would, to value the timeand the time and what went into
creating it.
And I mean that's how you haveto do it.
It's so difficult to do.
Do you have pictures.
I have a.
So Do you have pictures?
I have a question Do you havepictures from inside your house?
(10:04):
That's something that someonejust said to you recently that
before they left, they did aquick video or photo of their
house so that people knew, sothat it could be seen what they
actually had in there.
Speaker 1 (10:19):
Yes, knew, so that it could be seen what they
actually had in there, yes, and.
I have been going through mystore of photos for just that
reason.
Speaker 2 (10:34):
Right.
Speaker 1 (10:40):
But it's just a long process.
Speaker 2 (10:42):
Right, it's just a long process, right?
I know, travis, that you didn'tknow the first night.
We kept seeing where the firewas going, but you hadn't been
notified.
How did you find out that thehouse was gone?
I remember when I firstcontacted you, you said we think
, we're not sure yet we'rewaiting to get confirmation.
Speaker 1 (11:26):
How did that process go for you, for proper channels
and made it back to my place?
Passed the barricades.
Speaker 2 (11:37):
a little serendipitously, you did.
Speaker 1 (11:38):
How did you do that?
Speaker 2 (11:40):
Took some photos and are we able to post some of
those photos into the?
Speaker 1 (11:44):
show All right.
Speaker 2 (11:46):
So for our listeners, I don't know if you can really
comprehend what this is like,but when you see these
devastating photos I have seenthem it's beyond comprehension.
I think it is so disturbing and, just so you know, I'm going to
(12:07):
do a plug for it right now.
Travis, before we go anyfurther, I've set up a GoFundMe
page for Travis and if you go toGoFundMe and put in Travis
Robinson, you can find it, butI'll also put the link in
somewhere here.
Travis will tell me where toput it.
It's okay, this is real life.
(12:35):
We're not going to keep it youmuch longer, Travis.
In any case, I hope that thoseof you that are listeners can
(12:57):
offer support in any way.
Speaker 1 (13:06):
Thank you, Judy.
It is very much appreciated Allthat you've done for Sarah and
I.
Speaker 2 (13:22):
Well, travis, you know our community sticks
together and you have done somuch for so many people, not
just in LA, but around the world, really in LA, but around the
world, really by inspiring themand showing your tenacity and
(13:46):
your ability to push throughjust about anything.
And I think today I think aboutit and go.
This is the max, like ifthere's any test that you could
have, this is probably thebiggest test that you will ever
(14:08):
face and I know that you'regoing to come through this and I
know you and Sarah areresourceful and you have people
that love you and you havefriends merciful, and you have
people that love you and youhave friends.
But this is going to take morethan just the initial community
of people that know Travis.
We really need to reach out tothe world and get people to come
(14:31):
and support you on this, travis, because you have offered so
much to the world not justpeople with Parkinson's, but
care partners and just people ingeneral that have listened to
the podcast and hear your storyand see what you, your honesty
and your ability to share yourlife with them, and so I'm just
(14:54):
going to put it out there againany help that someone can give.
I don't care if it's giving upa cup of coffee for $5 or $4.
It doesn't really matter whatit is, but let's see if we can
get some support here and makethis happen.
And, travis, please be safe,you know that I'm with you.
(15:18):
I'm always on your shoulder andlooking over you, you mean
you're a little nudge and alittle push.
So I'm here for you guys in anyway that I can be of service, to
be there for you.
Speaker 1 (15:35):
Thank you so very much.
Speaker 2 (15:38):
Sending a big love bubble out.
Speaker 1 (15:43):
Yeah, okay, well, that's a wrap Bing.
Speaker 2 (15:55):
I'm sorry, travis, I'm a mess.
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