The Creation of Right Hand Angels
A Day Engraved
Note: The events listed within this post pertaining to the accident are still currently being pieced together. Please note that I was not present during the time of the accident, and what I share has only been the information that I have obtained or have been provided with over the years. Most of the members within the accident have shared parts of their stories with me. I provide this information to you as a means to educate others on the importance of understanding how 4.7 seconds can change your life and those around you. And with hope, positivity and faith anything is possible!
“On May 3, 2007, while I was on duty as an active United States Marine, my family was involved in a single car accident. While traveling down a North Carolina road, my then 11 year old son, at no fault of his own, was handed the wheel of our truck to drive while my youngest sons biological father fixed a cord to an IPod player. As our son began to guide the truck around a curve he misguided the turn and the truck slid along the side road gravel then causing the vehicle to strike three trees to the entire right side. Both of our younger children although wearing seatbelts, were not in car seats during the time of the accident. Upon each impact, our youngest son Andrew had sustained not one but multiple blows to the head. Andrew was immediately medivac to the nearest hospital where he remained in a coma and on life support for 21 days. After approximately 3 months of extensive rehabilitation, treatment Andrew was able to return home. At the time, there were very limited resources available to help my family. As an active duty service member during the current war, I noticed how many of my brothers and sisters were returning to an area that had limited support and resources. Because of this, on August 22, 2007 I contacted the Brain Injury Association of North Carolina and asked if there was a way we could provide these opportunities to our local members. Thus, Right Hand Angels Brain Injury Support Group was then created. As time progressed and our group grew, we quickly realized that there was a need for assistance in multiple states. After discussing with our family and friends the vision we hoped to help provide, we decided to move the support group into the process of obtaining its own 501-3c nonprofit. Therefore, in June of 2022, shortly after the death of my grandmother Jean Bodine, who left an inheritance to me, the organization and board of Right Hand Angels was established.
The board is composed of family members and friends of Andrew Bristow, our disabled son who is also the face of Right Hand Angels. After the decision to become a nonprofit our organization grew from a small support group into a national nonprofit overnight.
We have our partners, families and friends to thank for this. Without them we would not be able to provide our families with the ability to be #ReadyForInclusion.”- Robin Totsch
Right Hand Angels Board Members:
Chief Executive Officer/ Founder-Robin Totsch
Robin Totsch currently resides in Southern California where she has lived since 2015.
On July 31st, 2015 she retired from the United States Marine Corps as a Staff NonCommissioned Officer in charge of Financial Management, Internal Controls, and Fiscal Departments. She deployed with the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit attached to the USS Kearsarge in 2005 in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and then again in 2012 to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. She is a Combat Veteran and one of the very first female Marines to deploy on the front line in support of the Lioness/Tiger/FET Teams. She is also currently a member of the Woman’s Marines Association.
Since May 3rd, 2007, she has dedicated her entire life to supporting those with disabilities. Supporting her fellow service comrades as an Exceptional Family Members Advocate, a former national Regional Ambassador to a major nonprofit organization, and as a caregiver to members of her own family.
She is a dedicated woman of God, and would do anything for her friends, family, and community. She is the daughter of Carole and Johnnie Bourque and the bride of Heath Totsch and loves him to the fullest. She is the mother to five beautiful and amazing children, Andrew, Casey, Ashley, and Dean, and would give them the world.
She loves to dance, make people laugh, and feel the joy of the world that surrounds them. She is feisty, determined, and loyal to all that support the need to be #ReadyForInclusion.
Chairwoman-Carole Bourque
Carole Bourque is one of the original Board Members of Right Hand Angels.
She resides in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina where she has lived since the mid 1990’s.
She is a retired Chief Master Sergeant (E9) of the Air Force and retired after 21 years of faithful active duty service. Shortly after retiring from the military she was employed by AVX, a chip manufacturer, for another 23 years. While at AVX she was the Global Purchasing Manager responsible for purchasing worldwide. In 2012 she retired completely, and is currently enjoying her four children and numerous grandchildren.
Secretary/ Education-Brooke Soleri
Brooke Soleri is one of the original board members of Right Hand Angels.
She resides in the Southern California region and has worked in education for over 9 years, holding both her Mild to Moderate, and Moderate to Severe Special Education Credentials.
She is a wife, a mother of 2, and a full time Program Specialist at a rapidly growing Charter School.
She is full of drive, passion, and a bit of sass.
Chief of Finances-Heath Totsch
Heath Totsch is the Co-Founder and one of the original Board Members of Right Hand Angels.
He currently resides in Southern California where he has lived since 2015.
He is a retired Master Gunnery Sergeant (E9) of the United States Marine Corps and retired after 30 years of faithful active duty service as a Financial Management Chief retiring in July 2022. He has deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan and is a combat veteran. The very next day after retiring, Heath continued to serve his community by taking on the role as General Manager for one of the largest Logistics Companies in the United States, NFI Industries.
He is a dedicated man of God, and would do anything for his family. He is a devoted husband to his bride, Robin Totsch and an unbelievable father to his five children, Andrew, Taylor, Casey, Ashley and Dean.
Together these members are dedicated to helping and supporting YOU, our Angels!
Each strive to assist in ensuring the core values of our organization and the mission that we represent are held to the highest of standards. Our open door policy allows you to connect with us at anytime should we not meet the standards of our organization.
Our organization is constantly evolving and looking for ArchAngels and Representatives who might be interested in making a difference in their local community.
If you are interested in volunteering or becoming a registered Angel, caregiver, or friend, you can follow the link here to register. We look forward to connecting with you! #ReadyForInclusion
