COURTESY PHOTO
Robbie McLaughlin takes a break from his rehab to snap a photo with a few visiting friends.
BY DILLON DURST
SWAMPSCOTT — Kathy McLaughlin just wants her son back.
Robbie McLaughlin was severely beaten at the Baseball Tavern in Boston in May. Today, he’s recovering at a rehabilitation facility.
To help with medical costs, a group of his close friends will host a “Rally For Robbie,” fundraiser at the Nahant Country Club on Sunday, Aug. 7.
“He’s just wowed us, so we want to wow him,” said Rose O’Malley, a longtime friend.
The event will feature a cornhole tournament, Robbie’s favorite game, as well as food, music and a silent auction.
The Swampscott High School graduate was rushed to Brigham and Women’s Hospital, where doctors gave him a 5 percent chance to survive surgery that required the removal of a fraction of his skull.
Kathy McLaughlin said she got a phone call at about 1:30 a.m. from her son, Ryan. He had been out with Robbie that night and said he wasn’t sure if his brother would live.
“We never thought it was as bad as it was,” she said.
The family spent the next 10 days living “hour to hour,” wondering if Robbie would survive. After being in a coma for about four weeks, he showed signs of life.
While he’s able to speak, it’s usually not understandable, his mother said. He can walk with assistance, but he still has a feeding tube in his stomach. She said she’s unsure when, or even if, she’ll be able to bring her son home.
“He didn’t do anything to deserve this,” she said. “It’s hard when your 27-year-old son doesn’t know who you are.”
After 40 days at Brigham, Robbie was moved to Cambridge Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital, where he’s undergoing occupational, physical and speech and language therapy. He can throw a ball, his mother said, and he loves playing catch.
“He’ll whip the ball at you,” she said with a laugh.
While friends and family try to concentrate on Robbie’s improving condition, O’Malley said it’s troubling that no one is being held accountable for the vicious attack.
“You want to focus on the positives, but it’s hard to not focus on the fact they haven’t made an arrest yet,” she said.
The Boston Police Department said Friday no arrests have been made and the investigation remains ongoing.
Kathy McLaughlin said the love and support from Robbie’s friends has been overwhelming. His GoFundMe page has raised over $36,000 to help with medical expenses.
“He’s such a great person,” she said. “We’re so grateful for everything everyone has done…Thank you isn’t even enough to say to them.”
Dillon Durst can be reached at [email protected].