Grayslake community embraces teen recovering from traumatic brain injury

GRAYSLAKE – For the Kubik family of Grayslake, it’s all about the simple things these days.

Hanging out in the kitchen. Walking the dogs. Just being home.

“It’s very surreal after six weeks of hitting a pause button,” Rob Kubik said.

On Jan. 24, Rob and Robyn Kubik’s 16-year-old daughter, Allyson, suffered a traumatic brain injury when she was ejected from an inner tube towed by an ATV in Lake Villa. She was airlifted unresponsive to Lutheran Advocate General Hospital in Park Ridge.

To “bring awareness to how quickly life can change,” as well as traumatic brain injuries and the recovery process, her family has documented her ongoing recovery on Instagram @allo.is.strong.

Hand squeezes. Toe wiggles. Smiles.

Everything has meant so much more than before.

Eventually moving from Park Ridge into Shirley Ryan AbilityLab, an inpatient rehab center in Chicago, Allyson’s mind and body has had to work to relearn everything. Talking. Sitting up. Walking.

This past weekend, about six weeks after the accident, Allyson came home.

The outpouring of support from family, friends and the entire community has overwhelmed the family.

Along with hosting several fundraisers to support the family’s medical bills, sending comfort food, shoveling snow from their driveway and so many other random acts of kindness, people lined Grayslake’s streets upon Allyson’s return March 6.

Waves, balloons and all sorts of signs awaited the family. “Welcome Home.” “#allostrong.” “We missed you.”

Overcome by the greeting, the family also was caught a bit off-guard by the emotions of simply being home.

“Just hearing her voice in the house talking to her brother,” Rob Kubik said. “It was definitely easily one of the greatest days of our lives.”

‘I believe’

The Kubiks are hoping their story can help others. It’s a story of positivity, strength and determination, of the value of love and support.

“Whatever someone might take from this, whether it’s life is short or wear a helmet or look for the positive and have hope,” Rob Kubik said.

The family knows others have and will go through similar journeys. Some might face tougher roads and worse outcomes.

“I think we’re just so grateful and blessed to be where we are,” Rob Kubik said.

Allyson’s story has resonated with so many who have followed her recovery. A sophomore at Grayslake North High School, Allyson’s classmates and teammates on her softball team helped start a T-shirt, hoodie and yard sign fundraiser.

Featuring #allostrong, a peace sign drawn by one of Allyson’s friends and “I believe” – the words Allyson would always yell from the softball dugout – the merchandise has been sold through ArtRageous Apparel, www.artrageousapparel.com, in Grayslake.

The fundraiser is in its third run, with merchandise being sold through March 14. So far, about $12,000 has been raised for the family, said Jessie Richter, operations manager for ArtRageous Apparel.

“The response was amazing,” she said. “We had over 300 orders for the first two runs.”

A friend of the family, Ann Smith, set up a GoFundMe account at www.gofundme.com/f/allyson-kubiks-recovery-journey-allostrong. The account had raised more than $24,000.

“I think it was one of those situations where a lot of people wanted to do something,” Smith said. “Sometimes in these situations you don’t know how you can help. … We knew this was going to be a long journey for them. I was just the one who set up the page, but there was obviously a whole lot of supporters.”

Other community members and businesses have stepped up to help as well, with Antioch Pizza Shop in Lindenhurst donating a portion of sales to the family March 4 when customers mentioned #allostrong.

From noon to 5 p.m. March 13, First Draft, 250 Center St., in Grayslake is hosting a fundraiser. With all proceeds being donated to the family, the event will include live music and raffles. Details are available on the #allo.is.strong-fundraiser account on Instagram.

A comeback story

The Kubik family has been humbled by the efforts, along with the amount of people – even strangers – who have reached out.

“To get so much support and comments, just like nonstop for the last six weeks, it’s been amazing. For people we don’t even know to set up fundraisers, it’s hard to put into words,” Rob Kubik said. “I feel like we’ve overused the words thank you.”

As for Allyson, she began outpatient therapy this week at Shirley Ryan AbilityLab Arlington Heights Day Rehab Center. She’ll go full days three days a week for an indefinite amount of time, her father said.

“The brain decides the timeline,” he said.

The family is hopeful she’ll be able to one day play softball again – ”kind of like the pinnacle.”

For now, it’s one simple accomplishment at a time.

As Robyn Kubik described on the family’s Instagram account, where she continually expresses her gratitude to all, this is Allyson’s “comeback story.”

“She seems to be taking it all in stride,” her father said.