Grayson Roberts, a 10-year-old blind boy from California who once jammed with Travis Barker, lost his Altadena home in the Eaton Fire. Grayson, who was born legally blind due to a chromosomal disorder, lived with his mother, Terica Roberts, and two brothers.
Terica told KTLA 5 that their home was threatened as the sky turned red, smoke filled the air, and flames spread from nearby mountains on January 7.
“At the rate the wind was blowing, I knew we had to go,” Terica recalled.
Terica and her children evacuated their home during the Eaton fire, grabbing what they could before fleeing. The following day, they discovered their home was destroyed.
In a January 17 Instagram video shared by the nonprofit Big Talk, Grayson detailed the harrowing moments leading up to their escape and how the tragedy has affected his life.
“I lost all my Braille stuff, my Legos, my instruments,” the aspiring drummer said, before adding that the hardest part about the experience wasn’t losing his stuff but his neighborhood.
“I just love where we lived,” Grayson said.
A GoFundMe campaign posted by the Roberts family revealed Grayson has undergone 37 surgeries to improve his vision.
Known for his big smile and determination, Grayson sells lemonade to fund his dreams of world travel. In 2024, he raised enough money to donate 200 canes for the blind in Ghana.
His optimism caught the attention of Blink-182 drummer Travis Barker in 2023, who surprised Grayson while he was selling lemonade, leading to a memorable jam session.
The Eaton Fire, part of a series of major wildfires in Southern California in January, has become the most destructive in the state’s history, according to CNN.
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Authorities report over 7,000 homes and businesses were destroyed in Altadena.
A GoFundMe and a dedicated donation site have been established to support the Roberts family and help them rebuild after losing their home.
