Team Bios
Some information about us...
Robin:
3/29/05 Hi there. My name is Robin (Laatsch) Grapa. I was diagnosed with Aplastic Anemia in October 1997, and was treated with ATG in July of 1998. I have recently been told by my oncologist at Marshfield Clinic that I am in complete remission. The full story about my illness and what I like to refer to as “my adventure” can be read here.
I come from a family of four -- my mom, dad, brother and me. I was born in Oconomowoc, Wisconsin, and spent the first 7 years of my life in southeast Wisconsin, or the Milwaukee area. At 8 years old my parents moved us to the northwoods. We resided in Phillips, Wisconsin, where I graduated from Phillips High School in 1997. From there I went on to college at the University of Wisconsin – Stevens Point for Graphic Design. I graduated in December of 2001, and am currently employed at 4imprint in Oshkosh, Wisconsin as a Creative Designer.
In June 2001, I married Adam Grapa. So as of now, I live with him in Oshkosh, Wisconsin with our three cats—Peanut, Rocko and Buckley. Adam has recently accepted a position with Schneider National driving an 18-wheeler, so he’ll be visiting the country the same time I am. It’ll really be nice for the both of us to get some sightseeing in before we settle in and start a family. I’m really looking forward to it, but for now… I have to get some adventure and accomplishments in.
So this is a bio – what do I enjoy? Hiking and just being outside. When we moved to Phillips, I fell in love with the outdoors. I used to spend a lot of time with my neighbor and forever best friend, Tami (Lepke) Williams outside every day whenever we could. I even remember crossing the field between our houses in the winter through snow up to our waists.
All my experiences growing up has made me what I am today, and in everything I do, I seek adventure.
Patty:
Hi, I’m Patty, Mother to Robin and her older brother Scott. I have been married to my best friend Keith for over 29 years and we are grandparents to my son and his wife’s daughter Gracie. I have enjoyed a career in real estate for the past 11+ years.
So here’s my story -- One morning my husband and I woke up to our daughter Robin having serious seizures while recovering from her Aplastic Anemia treatment. She was air lifted to Marshfield hospital where she spent hours in intensive care fighting to live. During those hours I prayed to let her spend even one more day with us. I begged the Lord to let me trade places with her as she had so much more life ahead of her than I. I promised God I would do anything he asked of me if he would only let her stay with us a little longer. Now 7 years later (2005) she is healthy and still with us.
A year ago I received a very excited phone call from Robin that went something like this: MOM! I think I know why I’m here! I know what I want to do! I want to hike the American Discovery Trail across the United States to raise awareness for the Aplastic Anemia Foundation of America. Will go with me!? I said YES and promised her I would go never really dreaming at the time “Our Hike” would really come to fruition.
Here we are and in less than a year we will begin the adventure of a lifetime! I am excited and have been hiking and planning with Robin. My heart tells me that only good things will come of this for us and for all that are affected by Aplastic Anemia and any of its relatives. My reason for the hike in a nutshell: I made a promise to God and my daughter that I intend to keep and am convinced that this is the anything that I am meant to do. Gotta Love “Our Hike”!
Keith
Hi, I’m Keith Laatsch. I have been married to my high school sweetie and best friend, Patty for 30 years. I have worked in the Heating, A/C and Building maintenance trade for 28 years and really enjoy it (especially meeting and helping people). We have two children -- Scott and Robin. They both have married wonderful people into our family. Scott married Erica, and Robin married Adam -- they are both a terrific addition to our lives. Scott and Erica have given us a granddaughter, Gracie Ann, who is enough to melt my heart. I come from a family of ten, which includes my Dad and Mom, four older brothers, one younger sister, and two older sisters. One thing I have learned from them is the importance of family value. No matter how shitty things would get in life you could always count on family and faith in God!! Well, this bio shouldn’t get to lengthy, but I as a person hold my family and friends as thee biggest asset in my life. We have the sometimes unfortunate experience of having our love for one another tested -- with Robin’s illness I was forced to mature my attitudes toward life almost overnight. But in the experience as a whole it just made our whole family that much tighter. When Robin first mentioned doing this hike I said I thought it was a great idea. I have never doubted her integrity with anything she has ever done and she has always followed through with things her whole life. I wish I was able to participate but I will stay back and work and hold down the fort. I am looking forward to helping any way I can -- as a go-to guy, or as the hike begins, a trail angel. (These hikers may never know where they will find the next 5-gallon bucket.) In conclusion, I hope with the efforts of the hikers, the sponsors that are coming forward, the support of family and friends, and God willing we will see this through to the end and meet our goals. If we can prevent even one family from experiencing the horrifying thought of losing a child or family member, then hats off to all the folks at the Aplastic Anemia Foundation.
