From paralysis to proposal: Gus’s steps to making the shot that mattered most

WINTER PARK, Fla. - Gustavo “Gus” Robine still remembers when his world began to shift – not in a dramatic fall or traumatic injury, but during a simple game of basketball with friends.

“I just thought I tweaked something,” Robine said, about the time when he felt pain run up his side mid-game. At 36, Gus was in the best shape of his life. He was active, healthy and building a future with his girlfriend, Maria. He had just bought a home and life felt full of momentum.

However, as the week went on, the pain worsened. Gus could barely walk, so Maria drove him to AdventHealth Orlando, where his doctors quickly determined something much more serious was happening. Within days, Gus was fully paralyzed from the hips down, and his speech and ability to swallow were weakening. He was diagnosed with Guillain-Barré syndrome, a rare autoimmune disorder that causes the body’s immune system to attack the nerves.

Gus was told recovery could take months – maybe longer – and that there were no guarantees. But even in the face of uncertainty, Gus found something to hold onto.

“I remember looking at Maria and saying, ‘You don’t need to do this. You don’t need to take care of me,’” he said. “And she just looked at me and said, ‘This is what love is.’”

That love would become his lifeline.

Gus began treatment with intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) to slow the progression of the disease, but the path to healing and regaining independence would require intense rehabilitation. This prompted his transfer to AdventHealth Winter Park’s inpatient rehabilitation facility, a place he’d heard great things about.

“From the start, Gus and his family were full of hope and energy, which shaped everything about our approach,” said Maria Patino, occupational therapist at AdventHealth Winter Park. “We focused on what mattered most to them, and they carried that momentum outside of therapy sessions. That consistency made it possible to reach each milestone.”

Gus spent over 40 days in inpatient rehab, where his care team became a source of encouragement and strength. With the help of advanced equipment like the Vector gait training system, he took his first steps. It was tiny at first, but monumental in meaning. The AdventHealth team cared for more than just his body. They nurtured his mental and spiritual well-being, offering encouragement, prayer and personalized care to help Gus feel whole.

“I told one of the therapists, ‘My goal is to walk again so I can get on one knee and ask Maria to marry me,’” he recalled. “That became the motivation, for me and for them.”

“Gus’s recovery was remarkable given the severity of his condition,” said Alex Zelman, physical therapist at AdventHealth Winter Park. “Guillain-Barré requires careful pacing due to pain and fatigue, but Gus approached every session with enthusiasm and determination.”

Maria remained a constant presence throughout his recovery, helping with daily tasks and offering quiet strength on the hardest of days. Gus credits her unwavering love and support as one of the greatest factors in his progress.

After completing inpatient rehab, Gus transitioned to AdventHealth East Orlando for outpatient therapy. There, his team developed a personalized care plan aligned with his lifestyle and goals, focused on getting him back to doing the things he loved most. Just two months after his diagnosis, despite being told he might not walk for six months or more, Gus kept his promise. He walked, got down on one knee, and proposed.

“She said yes,” he said, smiling. “It was a moment I’ll never forget.”

Today, Gus has nearly fully recovered. He’s back to running, biking and, most importantly, planning a wedding. Gus is also giving back by volunteering at AdventHealth and sharing his story to inspire others facing their own uncertain paths.

“The team at AdventHealth did everything with such love,” Gus said. They helped me become myself again.”