Amanda Robinson, 39, maintains that online critics accusing her of breaking marriage vows misunderstand her situation. ‘I don’t have a marriage anymore,’ she states.
A Picture-Perfect Life Shattered
For 15 years, Amanda and her husband Matt, 42, enjoyed a happy life as high school sweethearts. They met in 2003, married two years later, and raised two sons in Prescott, Arizona. As a nurse, Amanda routinely handled traumatic injuries professionally.
Everything changed in February 2021 when Matt’s truck collided with another vehicle, crushing his head and causing a severe brain injury. The damage impaired his vision, personality, behavior, and memory.
Years of Sole Caregiving
Amanda managed Matt’s daily needs—feeding, cleaning, and dressing—for four years. Despite her enduring love, she admitted him to a nearby care home to reclaim some normalcy.
‘I did this all by myself for years, and now I have somebody else right there with me and I’m not doing it all alone,’ Amanda explains. ‘I hadn’t let myself connect with anybody before, because in my mind, I was married and dedicated to being a caregiver.’
Finding Love with Josh
Amanda never anticipated romance again, but she met Josh, 38, a country singer, during one of his performances at a local Prescott bar. They exchanged numbers, and after she shared Matt’s story at another show, Josh researched her Facebook updates on his condition.
‘Matt sounded like a great guy,’ Josh remarked. Their bond grew quickly, with Josh emphasizing Matt’s place in their lives from the start.
A few months into dating, Josh joined Amanda’s visits to Matt. This evolved into a routine where Josh supports caregiving and forms his own connection with Matt.
‘I know that if Matt was aware of what was going on, he wouldn’t want me to be his caregiver forever; he’d want me to be happy,’ Amanda says.
The Accident’s Harrowing Details
The crash struck without warning. While driving to work with colleagues, Matt’s truck was hit. A Life360 app alert notified Amanda of the accident via phone movement detection.
Doctors urged the family to say goodbye due to Matt’s critical state—blackened eyes, blood from ears, eyes, and nose, and a bandaged head with no signs of life. Miraculously, he survived 10 months of hospital recovery.
Returning home in December 2021, Matt could walk, talk, and eat initially. However, his brain injury eroded his memory and retention. He lost his vision, experiencing hallucinations instead of darkness.
‘In his mind, he’s still living life before the accident. Sometimes he tells me he’s off to work; other times he thinks he still goes to school,’ Amanda describes. ‘The hardest part is having to explain to him where he is and what’s going on.’
At their son’s high school graduation, photos show Matt smiling, unaware of the event.
Embracing a Unique Family Dynamic
Amanda reflects on their pre-accident joy: ‘Matt and I had a great relationship. I was with him for more than half my life… We were so happy. We laughed a lot.’
Her sons gradually accepted Josh, viewing him as family. Josh clarifies his respect: ‘After hearing about who Matt was prior to his accident, I had nothing but utmost respect for the man he still would be today if he could be.’
‘I told Amanda that I wish he could miraculously recover so she can have her family back together and that if ever that was the case, I would step aside and be so happy for her and her kids,’ Josh adds. ‘Amanda is a wonderful woman and I am sharing my life with her, Matt and their two kids; I wouldn’t want any of it to change.’
Amanda prioritizes happiness for herself and her sons after sacrificing her career, time with children, and social life. Despite trolls claiming vow-breaking, she stands firm in her choices.
