2 years after losing his wife and dog in yacht fire, South Florida man shares survival story at HCA Florida Kendall Hospital

Two years after a yacht erupted in flames a South Florida father shared his survival story and thanked those who saved his life Standing before other trauma survivors on Wednesday -year-old Michael Robson was the keynote speaker at HCA Florida Kendall Hospital s trauma and burn project Robson lost his wife and dog in the fire but he provided words of hope to the crowd at the event It s about finding your courage and no matter how hard it is know that you are not alone revealed Robson The journey of finding one s courage is one Robson knows too well Robson almost lost his life in July when his flames tore through his yacht at Perry Hotel Marina in the Florida Keys Being almost dead and He lets you live There has to be a reason So what is the reason Well there has to be a purpose he announced Moments before the tragedy he mentioned he was spending time with his wife Linda Vella We had gone to bed around o clock We had a storm that blew in and knocked her e-bike into the water We pulled it out We hosed it off We took the battery out Three hours later it caught on fire from the saltwater noted Robson He declared he and his son got out of the boat injured by the flames I got out of the boat badly burned from the battery My son got out he declared Robson and his son were airlifted to HCA Florida Kendall Hospital in critical condition His wife and their beloved dog died in the blaze I believe that my wife went back for the dog Dozer and just never made it out with the smoke inhalation declared Robson His son recovered fast but he spent six months in the hospital suffering from severe burns Robson mentioned that the combination of fighting for his life and dealing with mourning his wife and pet made for a challenging time It was the greater part painful thing I ve ever been involved with in my entire life commented Robson In his worst days the survivor declared he remembered his wife s voice to give him the strength to keep fighting She had communicated me that if anything happened to her she craved me to raise the kids to fight for them no matter what That I was their dad he commented In his keynote speech he thanked the diagnostic staff and doctors who saved his life and nursed him back to wellness but he also pointed to his children who stood by his side as he recovered They gave up their lives their jobs to come take care of Dad he declared By sharing his story Robson wants to remind others who are struggling that they are stronger than they think