After Life-Changing Diagnosis, Founder of Hot Rod Company is Still Fueled by Love of Cars

Fueled by a love of cars and a need for speed, the owner of Bennett Coachworks isn't letting a rare disorder get in the way of his life.

RAISED IN A FAMILY OF MECHANICS,RAISED IN A FAMILY OF MECHANICS,BOB BENNETT PRETTY MUCH GREW UPRAISED IN A FAMILY OF MECHANICS,BOB BENNETT PRETTY MUCH GREW UPON GASOLINE.BOB BENNETT PRETTY MUCH GREW UPON GASOLINE.ON GASOLINE.ON GASOLINE.MY UNCLES WERE HOT RODDERS.

MYMY UNCLES WERE HOT RODDERS.

MYMY UNCLES WERE HOT RODDERS.

MYGRANDPA WAS A HOT RODDER.GRANDPA WAS A HOT RODDER.GRANDPA WAS A HOT RODDER.FUELED BY A LOVE OF CARS -FUELED BY A LOVE OF CARS -FUELED BY A LOVE OF CARS -AND A NEED FOR SPEED.AND A NEED FOR SPEED.AND A NEED FOR SPEED.AND THE RADAR IS GOING 147, 147.AND THE RADAR IS GOING 147, 147.SOME OF IT SANCTIONED.TRACK RECORD-HOLDER.TRACK RECORD-HOLDER.SOME OF IT NOT.SOME OF IT NOT.SOME OF IT NOT.IVE NEVER KNOWN A STATEIVE NEVER KNOWN A STATEPATROLMAN IN ANY STATE THAT HADIVE NEVER KNOWN A STATEPATROLMAN IN ANY STATE THAT HADANY SENSE OF HUMOR.PATROLMAN IN ANY STATE THAT HADANY SENSE OF HUMOR.ANY SENSE OF HUMOR.ON A FEBRUARY MORNING INSIDE THEON A FEBRUARY MORNING INSIDE THESHOP THAT BEARS HIS NAME, THEON A FEBRUARY MORNING INSIDE THESHOP THAT BEARS HIS NAME, THEWORK ANDSHOP THAT BEARS HIS NAME, THEWORK ANDWORK ANDTHE STORIES COME AT THE SAMETHE STORIES COME AT THE SAMESPEED - FULL THROTTLE.SPEED - FULL THROTTLE.WE DO CARS FOR PEOPLE FROM ALLWE DO CARS FOR PEOPLE FROM ALLOVER THE WORLD.OVER THE WORLD.HE CAN DO IT ALL.

AND ITSHE CAN DO IT ALL.

AND ITSREALLY INCREDIBLE TO WORK FOR AHE CAN DO IT ALL.

AND ITSREALLY INCREDIBLE TO WORK FOR AGUY WHOS THATREALLY INCREDIBLE TO WORK FOR AGUY WHOS THATREALLY INCREDIBLE TO WORK FOR AGUY WHOS THATTALENTED.GUY WHOS THATTALENTED.TALENTED.TALENTED.ITS A RACE TO THE FINISH FORITS A RACE TO THE FINISH FORITS A RACE TO THE FINISH FORTHE BENNETT COACHWORKS STAFF -THE BENNETT COACHWORKS STAFF -THE BENNETT COACHWORKS STAFF -WERE GOING TO HAVE SOMEWHEREWERE GOING TO HAVE SOMEWHEREWERE GOING TO HAVE SOMEWHEREBETWEEN 40 AND 50,000 PEOPLEWERE GOING TO HAVE SOMEWHEREBETWEEN 40 AND 50,000 PEOPLECOMING THROUGH THEBETWEEN 40 AND 50,000 PEOPLECOMING THROUGH THEBETWEEN 40 AND 50,000 PEOPLECOMING THROUGH THEROOM.COMING THROUGH THEROOM.COMING THROUGH THEROOM.AS THEY GET READY FOR ANOTHERROOM.AS THEY GET READY FOR ANOTHERAS THEY GET READY FOR ANOTHERAS THEY GET READY FOR ANOTHERHIGH- OCTANE EXHIBITION AT THEAS THEY GET READY FOR ANOTHERHIGH- OCTANE EXHIBITION AT THEMILWAUKEE AUTOHIGH- OCTANE EXHIBITION AT THEMILWAUKEE AUTOHIGH- OCTANE EXHIBITION AT THEMILWAUKEE AUTOSHOW.MILWAUKEE AUTOSHOW.MILWAUKEE AUTOSHOW.WE HAVE BEEN ASKED BACK INTOSHOW.WE HAVE BEEN ASKED BACK INTOWE HAVE BEEN ASKED BACK INTOWE HAVE BEEN ASKED BACK INTOPERPETUITY BECAUSE WERE UNUSUALWE HAVE BEEN ASKED BACK INTOPERPETUITY BECAUSE WERE UNUSUALAND WEPERPETUITY BECAUSE WERE UNUSUALAND WEPERPETUITY BECAUSE WERE UNUSUALAND WEBRING IN COOL STUFF.AND WEBRING IN COOL STUFF.AND WEBRING IN COOL STUFF.BUT THIS YEAR, ONE CHANGE ISBRING IN COOL STUFF.BUT THIS YEAR, ONE CHANGE ISBRING IN COOL STUFF.BUT THIS YEAR, ONE CHANGE ISIMPOSSIBLE TO MISS.BUT THIS YEAR, ONE CHANGE ISIMPOSSIBLE TO MISS.BUT THIS YEAR, ONE CHANGE ISIMPOSSIBLE TO MISS.BOB BENNETT HAS SPENT HIS LIFEIMPOSSIBLE TO MISS.BOB BENNETT HAS SPENT HIS LIFEBOB BENNETT HAS SPENT HIS LIFEBOB BENNETT HAS SPENT HIS LIFECRUISING AROUND ON FOUR WHEELS.BOB BENNETT HAS SPENT HIS LIFECRUISING AROUND ON FOUR WHEELS.JUSTCRUISING AROUND ON FOUR WHEELS.JUSTJUSTNOT LIKE THIS.NOT LIKE THIS.HE ACTUALLY CALLED ME UP HEREHE ACTUALLY CALLED ME UP HEREHE ACTUALLY CALLED ME UP HEREFROM THE SHOP AND HE SAID, COMEHE ACTUALLY CALLED ME UP HEREFROM THE SHOP AND HE SAID, COMEHERE RIGHTFROM THE SHOP AND HE SAID, COMEHERE RIGHTHERE RIGHTNOW, BECAUSE ITS NOT LOOKING SONOW, BECAUSE ITS NOT LOOKING SOGOOD.GOOD.SHIFT GEARS TO LAST SEPTEMBER,SHIFT GEARS TO LAST SEPTEMBER,WHEN BOBS LIFE CAME TO ASHIFT GEARS TO LAST SEPTEMBER,WHEN BOBS LIFE CAME TO ASCREECHING HALT.WHEN BOBS LIFE CAME TO ASCREECHING HALT.SCREECHING HALT.DIDNT FEEL ANYTHING REALLYDIDNT FEEL ANYTHING REALLYDESPERATE GOING ON.DESPERATE GOING ON.I WOKE UP AROUND 12:30 AND THEI WOKE UP AROUND 12:30 AND THEBOTTOM HALF OF ME WAS GONE, JUSTI WOKE UP AROUND 12:30 AND THEBOTTOM HALF OF ME WAS GONE, JUSTGONE.BOTTOM HALF OF ME WAS GONE, JUSTGONE.GONE.NUMB FROM THE WAIST DOWN.HE SAID, WELL, I DONT WANT TOHE SAID, WELL, I DONT WANT TOSCARE YOU OR ANYTHING BUT IM INHE SAID, WELL, I DONT WANT TOSCARE YOU OR ANYTHING BUT IM INTHE HOSPITAL.SCARE YOU OR ANYTHING BUT IM INTHE HOSPITAL.THE HOSPITAL.AND I WAS PRETTY SCARED.WAITING FOR ANSWERS, HE INSTEADWAITING FOR ANSWERS, HE INSTEADGOT THIS QUESTION.GOT THIS QUESTION.GOT THIS QUESTION.DO YOU WANT US TO RESUSCITATEDO YOU WANT US TO RESUSCITATEDO YOU WANT US TO RESUSCITATEYOU IF YOU CODE OUT?

AND I WASDO YOU WANT US TO RESUSCITATEYOU IF YOU CODE OUT?

AND I WASJUST LIKE, FIRSTYOU IF YOU CODE OUT?

AND I WASJUST LIKE, FIRSTJUST LIKE, FIRSTOFF, AM I REALLY THAT SICK?PUT SIMPLY - YES, HE WAS.THATS WHEN I HEARD THE TERMTHATS WHEN I HEARD THE TERMGUILLAIN- BARRE SYNDROME.GUILLAIN- BARRE SYNDROME.A RARE DISORDER WITHOUT A KNOWNA RARE DISORDER WITHOUT A KNOWNCAUSE OR CURE.

YOUR BODYSA RARE DISORDER WITHOUT A KNOWNCAUSE OR CURE.

YOUR BODYSIMMUNECAUSE OR CURE.

YOUR BODYSIMMUNEIMMUNESYSTEM ATTACKS YOUR OWN NERVES.SYSTEM ATTACKS YOUR OWN NERVES.YOU HAVE A 1-IN-100,000 CHANCEYOU HAVE A 1-IN-100,000 CHANCEYOU HAVE A 1-IN-100,000 CHANCEOF GETTING THIS.

AND APPARENTLYYOU HAVE A 1-IN-100,000 CHANCEOF GETTING THIS.

AND APPARENTLYI DREWOF GETTING THIS.

AND APPARENTLYI DREWI DREWTHE WINNING TICKET.WHAT STARTS AS A TINGLINGWHAT STARTS AS A TINGLINGSENSATION OR MUSCLE WEAKNESSWHAT STARTS AS A TINGLINGSENSATION OR MUSCLE WEAKNESSQUICKLY SPREADS INTOSENSATION OR MUSCLE WEAKNESSQUICKLY SPREADS INTOQUICKLY SPREADS INTOALL-OUT PARALYSIS.ALL-OUT PARALYSIS.WATCHING IT TRANSPIRE WAS REALLYALL-OUT PARALYSIS.WATCHING IT TRANSPIRE WAS REALLYHORRIFYING.WATCHING IT TRANSPIRE WAS REALLYHORRIFYING.HORRIFYING.AT THE WORST OF IT, I COULDNTAT THE WORST OF IT, I COULDNTCLOSE MY MOUTH.

SHE WAS FEEDINGAT THE WORST OF IT, I COULDNTCLOSE MY MOUTH.

SHE WAS FEEDINGME BABYCLOSE MY MOUTH.

SHE WAS FEEDINGME BABYME BABYFOOD.

I WAS TRYING TO PUSH ITFOOD.

I WAS TRYING TO PUSH ITWITH MY TONGUE.

I DONT REMEMBERFOOD.

I WAS TRYING TO PUSH ITWITH MY TONGUE.

I DONT REMEMBERANY OFWITH MY TONGUE.

I DONT REMEMBERANY OFANY OFTHIS.THIS.LIKE ONE OF HIS CUSTOM CARS, BOBLIKE ONE OF HIS CUSTOM CARS, BOBLIKE ONE OF HIS CUSTOM CARS, BOBWOULD NEED A FULL RESTORATION.WOULD NEED A FULL RESTORATION.THEY FILTER ALL THE PLASMA OUTTHEY FILTER ALL THE PLASMA OUTAND THEN THEY REPLACE IT WITHTHEY FILTER ALL THE PLASMA OUTAND THEN THEY REPLACE IT WITH100% SYNTHETICAND THEN THEY REPLACE IT WITH100% SYNTHETIC100% SYNTHETIC100% SYNTHETICPLASMA.

I TOLD THE GUYS AT THEPLASMA.

I TOLD THE GUYS AT THEPLASMA.

I TOLD THE GUYS AT THESHOP I WAS GOING TO GET MOBIL 1PLASMA.

I TOLD THE GUYS AT THESHOP I WAS GOING TO GET MOBIL 1TATTOOED ONSHOP I WAS GOING TO GET MOBIL 1TATTOOED ONTATTOOED ONMY ARMS.AFTER SEVEN OF THOSE OILAFTER SEVEN OF THOSE OILCHANGES, WEEKS IN THE HOSPITALCHANGES, WEEKS IN THE HOSPITALCHANGES, WEEKS IN THE HOSPITALAND ALMOST A MONTH IN AAND ALMOST A MONTH IN AREHAB FACILITY, BOB FINALLY CAMEREHAB FACILITY, BOB FINALLY CAMEHOME - WHERE LIFE MOVED MOREREHAB FACILITY, BOB FINALLY CAMEHOME - WHERE LIFE MOVED MORESLOWLY THAN AHOME - WHERE LIFE MOVED MORESLOWLY THAN ASLOWLY THAN AHOT RODDER WOULD LIKE.ITS AMAZING HOW YOU JUDGE YOURITS AMAZING HOW YOU JUDGE YOURFREEDOMS, YOU KNOW?FREEDOMS, YOU KNOW?FREEDOMS, YOU KNOW?THE LITTLE BITS OF INDEPENDENCETHE LITTLE BITS OF INDEPENDENCETHE LITTLE BITS OF INDEPENDENCETHAT HES GAINING ARE HUGE - INTHE LITTLE BITS OF INDEPENDENCETHAT HES GAINING ARE HUGE - INHIS WORLDTHAT HES GAINING ARE HUGE - INHIS WORLDHIS WORLDAND MY WORLD.AND MY WORLD.AS BOB LOGGED THOSE CHECKPOINTSAS BOB LOGGED THOSE CHECKPOINTSAS BOB LOGGED THOSE CHECKPOINTSON THE ROAD TO RECOVERY - HISAS BOB LOGGED THOSE CHECKPOINTSON THE ROAD TO RECOVERY - HISLIFE SPENT IN THEON THE ROAD TO RECOVERY - HISLIFE SPENT IN THELIFE SPENT IN THEFAST LANE ACTUALLY HELPEDFAST LANE ACTUALLY HELPEDACCELERATE THE PROCESS.

HISACCELERATE THE PROCESS.

HISACCELERATE THE PROCESS.

HISTHERAPIST HAD A SIMPLEACCELERATE THE PROCESS.

HISTHERAPIST HAD A SIMPLEINSTRUCTION.THERAPIST HAD A SIMPLEINSTRUCTION.INSTRUCTION.JUST TELL YOUR FEET WHAT THEYJUST TELL YOUR FEET WHAT THEYALREADY KNOW.

NEXT THING YOUALREADY KNOW.

NEXT THING YOUALREADY KNOW.

NEXT THING YOUKNOW IVE GOT MY EYES CLOSED ANDKNOW IVE GOT MY EYES CLOSED ANDIM LAPPING BLACKHAWKIM LAPPING BLACKHAWKFARMS LIKE CRAZY.FARMS LIKE CRAZY.AS FOR THE HANDS, HE HAS XBOX TOFARMS LIKE CRAZY.AS FOR THE HANDS, HE HAS XBOX TOTHANK.AS FOR THE HANDS, HE HAS XBOX TOTHANK.AS FOR THE HANDS, HE HAS XBOX TOTHANK.THE RIGHT HAND IS DEFINITELYTHANK.THE RIGHT HAND IS DEFINITELYTHANK.THE RIGHT HAND IS DEFINITELYLAGGING.

BUT MY LAP TIMES ARETHE RIGHT HAND IS DEFINITELYLAGGING.

BUT MY LAP TIMES ARETHE RIGHT HAND IS DEFINITELYLAGGING.

BUT MY LAP TIMES AREBACK UP THERE WHERELAGGING.

BUT MY LAP TIMES AREBACK UP THERE WHEREBACK UP THERE WHERETHEY NEED TO BE.THEY NEED TO BE.AND THROUGH IT ALL, THE RACE WASAND THROUGH IT ALL, THE RACE WASAND THROUGH IT ALL, THE RACE WASON FOR BOB TO MAKE IT BACK TOAND THROUGH IT ALL, THE RACE WASON FOR BOB TO MAKE IT BACK TOTHE AUTO SHOW.ON FOR BOB TO MAKE IT BACK TOTHE AUTO SHOW.THE AUTO SHOW.THAT SHOW HAS BEEN A BIG PART OFTHAT SHOW HAS BEEN A BIG PART OFMY LIFE THE LAST FIVE YEARS SOTHAT SHOW HAS BEEN A BIG PART OFMY LIFE THE LAST FIVE YEARS SOYEAH, THERE WASMY LIFE THE LAST FIVE YEARS SOYEAH, THERE WASYEAH, THERE WASYEAH, THERE WASNEVER ANY QUESTION.NEVER ANY QUESTION.NEVER ANY QUESTION.HED HOPED TO BE WALKING BYNEVER ANY QUESTION.HED HOPED TO BE WALKING BYLOAD-IN DAY.

BUT INSTEAD, ANDHED HOPED TO BE WALKING BYLOAD-IN DAY.

BUT INSTEAD, ANDHED HOPED TO BE WALKING BYLOAD-IN DAY.

BUT INSTEAD, ANDTHIS IS SAYINGLOAD-IN DAY.

BUT INSTEAD, ANDTHIS IS SAYINGTHIS IS SAYINGSOMETHING, HELL SETTLE FORSOMETHING, HELL SETTLE FORBEING THE MOST POPULARSOMETHING, HELL SETTLE FORBEING THE MOST POPULARATTRACTION ON FOURBEING THE MOST POPULARATTRACTION ON FOURBEING THE MOST POPULARATTRACTION ON FOURWHEELS.ATTRACTION ON FOURWHEELS.WHEELS.ITS LIKE EVERY 20 FEET IMITS LIKE EVERY 20 FEET IMSTOPPING AND TALKING TOSTOPPING AND TALKING TOSTOPPING AND TALKING TOSOMEBODY.

PUTTING EVERY CARSOMEBODY.

PUTTING EVERY CARSOMEBODY.

PUTTING EVERY CARPERFECTLY IN PLACE, BOB IS BACKSOMEBODY.

PUTTING EVERY CARPERFECTLY IN PLACE, BOB IS BACKIN HIS ELEMENT.PERFECTLY IN PLACE, BOB IS BACKIN HIS ELEMENT.IN HIS ELEMENT.WERE HERE AND ITS AS GOOD ORWERE HERE AND ITS AS GOOD ORBETTER A SHOW AS ANY ONE WEVEWERE HERE AND ITS AS GOOD ORBETTER A SHOW AS ANY ONE WEVEPUT ON.BETTER A SHOW AS ANY ONE WEVEPUT ON.PUT ON.HES FINALLY READY TO REV THINGSHES FINALLY READY TO REV THINGSUP -HES FINALLY READY TO REV THINGSUP -I WANT TO GET BACK ON WITH MYUP -I WANT TO GET BACK ON WITH MYI WANT TO GET BACK ON WITH MYI WANT TO GET BACK ON WITH MYLIFE.

YA KNOW, ITS BEEN STUCKI WANT TO GET BACK ON WITH MYLIFE.

YA KNOW, ITS BEEN STUCKIN NEUTRAL NOW FORLIFE.

YA KNOW, ITS BEEN STUCKIN NEUTRAL NOW FORIN NEUTRAL NOW FORIN NEUTRAL NOW FORFIVE MONTHS.FIVE MONTHS.AND GET THAT LIFE BACK IN GEAR.AND GET THAT LIFE BACK IN GEAR.THAT WAS CHIEF PHOTOJOURNALISTTHAT WAS CHIEF PHOTOJOURNALISTTHAT WAS CHIEF PHOTOJOURNALISTANDY KONKLE SHOOTING AND EDITINGANDY KONKLE SHOOTING AND EDITINGANDY KONKLE SHOOTING AND EDITINGTHAT PIECE.ANDY KONKLE SHOOTING AND EDITINGTHAT PIECE.BOB, AS HE PROMISED, MADE IT TOTHAT PIECE.BOB, AS HE PROMISED, MADE IT TOBOB, AS HE PROMISED, MADE IT TOBOB, AS HE PROMISED, MADE IT TOALMOST EVERY DAY OF THE AUTOBOB, AS HE PROMISED, MADE IT TOALMOST EVERY DAY OF THE AUTOSHOW.

AND HE SAID ALLALMOST EVERY DAY OF THE AUTOSHOW.

AND HE SAID ALLSHOW.

AND HE SAID ALLSHOW.

AND HE SAID ALLTHAT ACTIVITY ACTUALLY HELPEDTHAT ACTIVITY ACTUALLY HELPEDTHAT ACTIVITY ACTUALLY HELPEDSOME OF HIS SWELLING GO DOWN.SOME OF HIS SWELLING GO DOWN.AS YOU MIGHT IMAGINE, THEAS YOU MIGHT IMAGINE, THEMEDICAL BILLS FOR THIS HAVE BEENMEDICAL BILLS FOR THIS HAVE BEENASTRONOMICAL.

HESASTRONOMICAL.

HESASTRONOMICAL.

HESHAD TO SELL OFF SOME OF HIS MOSTHAD TO SELL OFF SOME OF HIS MOSTHAD TO SELL OFF SOME OF HIS MOSTPRIZED CARS AND MOTORCYCLES TOPRIZED CARS AND MOTORCYCLES TOPRIZED CARS AND MOTORCYCLES TOTRY TO MAKE ENDS MEET.

IF YOURETRY TO MAKE ENDS MEET.

IF YOURETRY TO MAKE ENDS MEET.

IF YOUREINTERESTED IN HELPING BOB ANDTRY TO MAKE ENDS MEET.

IF YOUREINTERESTED IN HELPING BOB ANDJANELL, THERE IS A GOINTERESTED IN HELPING BOB ANDJANELL, THERE IS A GOJANELL, THERE IS A GOJANELL, THERE IS A GOFUND ME ACCOUNT - WEVE POSTED AFUND ME ACCOUNT - WEVE POSTED AFUND ME ACCOUNT - WEVE POSTED ALINK TO THAT ON OUR WEBSITE,FUND ME ACCOUNT - WEVE POSTED ALINK TO THAT ON OUR WEBSITE,FOX6 NOWLINK TO THAT ON OUR WEBSITE,FOX6 NOWLINK TO THAT ON OUR WEBSITE,FOX6 NOWDOT COM.FOX6 NOWDOT COM.DOT COM.