20 Feb 2026
A close-knit St Albans family has launched a determined crowdfunding campaign in a bid to bring home their beloved dad after months in hospital.
Adam Tobias, who turns 54 in May, has lived with multiple sclerosis for most of his adult life, and uses a wheelchair for mobility.
Last December he was admitted into hospital with a chest infection that subsequently deteriorated into pneumonia and a collapsed lung, later requiring ICU support and oxygen therapy.
His treatment coincided with his daughter Amber, 25, undergoing a traumatic birth experience to deliver her own daughter Wrenley, who was 10 days overdue.
She recalled: “While I was recovering, my dad was in a respiratory ward on oxygen and antibiotics, receiving treatment for a collapsed lung and intensive respiratory physio, and because of the ward he was on, he couldn’t meet his granddaughter.”
Initially it appeared as though Adam was turning a corner: “Nearly three weeks later, after he was transferred to a rehab facility, I was finally able to take Wrenley to meet her Papa. I have never felt happiness like that moment – watching my dad meet his granddaughter for the first time.”
But then his oxygen levels dropped again and he returned to ICU for further support.
Due to his MS-related muscle weakness, Adam now requires a cough assist machine to clear his chest safely. Without it, doctors say he cannot return to his home in Jersey Farm.
Amber explained: “His MS means his chest muscles are weak and he is unable to clear his lungs effectively, causing infections to develop as fluid sitting on the lungs breeds bacteria. The NHS has been unable to find a machine within the community that he could have the use of at home which would mean either staying permanently in hospital or private sourcing, and the cost to purchase one privately is £8,158.”
He will also need increased care at home, potentially private physiotherapy to rebuild his strength, oxygen adaptations to the house and ongoing support to manage his MS and respiratory needs.
“Due to his long hospital stay, his overall muscle use has declined as he has been bedridden. While he doesn’t have the function of his legs – he’s unable to walk or stand at all – he’s been unable to transfer into his wheelchair and be up and about and independent in that way. This has caused his MS and state of health to deteriorate further as he’s not been using his muscles.
“Physio will be required to regain his strength to have the independence to be at home. It could take months for the NHS to be able to provide regular physio visits for Adam at home and even then, this is unlikely to be sufficient – so private physio would be required.
“It is likely that these measures would be permanent as we have been advised that the cause of infections and pneumonia is due to his progressing, advanced multiple sclerosis. This will not improve and is likely to just further worsen, but at what rate, we do not know.”
Amber said her dad has now been away from home for over two months, missing his family, his dog Angel, and precious time with his newborn granddaughter.
The family is hoping to raise £10,000 through a GoFundMe campaign to finance the respiratory equipment and additional support needed to help Adam return home safely.
However, this target is only to cover some of the potential initial costs, and the family will have to finance further ongoing care.
“We are desperate for Dad to get home and we will do what we can to gather any funds to facilitate this.
“As a family, we are appealing for support because he absolutely deserves to be able to come home and have access to his loved ones. My seven-week-old daughter is unable to visit him in the hospital due to risks it could impose on to her being so young. Dad truly is the heart of our family and has been through so much.
“We want him back in the comfort of his home and to begin to get back to his life and whatever his new ‘normal’ will need to look like.”
A lifelong devoted Elvis Presley fan, Adam visited Graceland on his honeymoon shortly before his MS diagnosis. He has collected Elvis memorabilia since childhood – from records and magazines to rarer items – and is even the proud owner of one of Elvis’s original gumball machines. His family say his home is filled with Elvis artwork, including his own sketches and paintings.
Adam, proud father to Amber and Chyna, 34, stepdad to Vicki, 35, and Spencer, 17, previously suffered the tragic loss of son Harley in a car crash when he was just 16.
Amber, deputy manager of The Fox pub in Harpenden, added: “We moved as a family to St Albans around 2002. We lived between the Fleetville and Marshalswick areas, but when my dad became diagnosed with MS the family home was not suitable for him, so he moved to a specially adapted flat in Jersey Farm.
“Dad was a graphic designer by profession, working for Carlton designing logos and cover artwork for CDs and movie sleeves, including some of the Carry On series and kids’ films such as Rudolph, but he was unable to continue his work due to his deteriorating MS.
“This affected his ability to use his hands which also meant he was no longer able to paint and draw, a passion of his since childhood, and also play the guitar, all due to his progressing condition.
“We just want him back where he belongs, taking care of business.”
To support the family’s GoFundMe campaign click here: https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-us-get-dad-the-equipment-to-come-home-u2m2k
Pictured below: Tobias family photos.
