Our lives revolve around him
LIKE THE caring wife she has been, Bobbette, with Luton’s hand in hers, sat beside him. She seemed to have an almost telepathic understanding of her husband. Bobbette understood his utterances even better than his father and said that it was because she now spends all her time with him; however, she does not mind.
“Basically, our lives revolve around him because he needs everything,” she said. “It wasn’t even something to think twice about. I made a vow and I’m here for him. His father is here, and everyone is here to help out and rally around him. It wasn’t hard to transition, just to accommodate him and his needs.”
Luton Sr describes his feelings towards his daughter-in-law as grateful because of her dedication.
“When Bobbette came into his life, she was always there with him on every journey. He started to branch out and had his own family. But it’s a sad thing to know how it has transpired,” he said.
“It’s hard. I can remember one time, she literally collapsed. She’s the literal breadgiver. Being a wife and having their kids around, she has to do most of the things (around the house). I remember one day he woke and she had so many things to do and he couldn’t get to her. He was like, ‘Daddy, you need to go see what’s happening with her.’ It was a good thing because ... she didn’t even know when she got to the hospital.”
Luton Sr is mindful that his son’s condition will worsen and he worries that he will then need a gastric feeding tube. He and Bobbette are also aware that at this point, they will also need a nurse, with professional training, for round-the-clock care.
The sports ministry will donate $5 million to Shelton’s cause.