Greetings friends, family, and supporters of Ryan’s road to recovery! We have some very exciting updates for you! 

 

But first, we have to extend an enormous THANK YOU for all the kindness and generosity you all have continued to show towards Ryan in the last few months. Ryan has been making huge strides in his healing journey and your support has meant the world to him. 

 

Since our last update, Ryan has moved out of inpatient care and into Craig on-campus housing where he has been able to practice adapting to his new way of life. Here he will continue some outpatient therapy for a little bit longer before he heads home next week! 

 

One of the most encouraging signs of Ryan’s progress is that he is slowly but surely gaining strength and function in his wrists, which is allowing him to spend more time feeding himself, using his phone/iPad, and re-learning basic tasks like brushing his teeth, washing his face and hair, as well as helping clothe himself. 

 

The most exciting thing about Ryan’s gains in wrist function is his increased strength and stamina, which allows him to spend more time in his manual wheelchair and to push himself short distances. We are hopeful that, in the future, Ryan will be able to make a full transition to the manual chair, giving him a greater sense of freedom and mobility. 

 

In addition to therapy and strength training, Ryan has also been able to have some fun times here in Colorado! 

Here is a list of some of the recent activities Ryan has been able to engage in:

• Fishing at the Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge
• Boating at the Cherry Creek Reservoir 
• Got to see the Padres play the Colorado Rockies at Coors Stadium 
• Went to see Red Rocks Amphitheatre
• Spent some time in a special Trackchair, a tank-like wheelchair that is able to go on much more rocky terrain than his power chair
• Transferred into a UTV 
• Ate at local restaurants
• Started going to grocery stores 
• Made and spent time with many special new friends who share his experiences and offer valuable insight on recovery

 

While Ryan’s road to recovery remains steep and bumpy, we are thrilled to see Ryan making so much progress. 

 

We know that, while an exciting step, moving back home is going to present a host of challenges. One of our biggest financial goals is to be able to purchase a wheelchair accessible vehicle. With your continued support, we are confident that we will be able to reach that goal very soon!

 

Lastly, Ryan’s recent progress is giving us hope and confidence that he will continue to heal, grow, and thrive in his new life. His spirits are up and he’s ready to see what the future will hold for him, including going back to SDSU as soon as Spring of next year (fingers crossed). 

 

Again, our immense gratitude towards our community of supporters, as well as to the incredible staff of Craig Hospital here in Colorado is immeasurable. We feel so very blessed to be surrounded by so much love and healing energy and to witness its effects on the unbreakable spirit that is Ryan!

 

We look forward to your continued interest and support and to sending you more updates soon!

 

With love and big thanks,

Ryan and family

Ryan outside of Craig Hospital. 

Thank you so much to everyone who has donated towards Ryan’s recovery ​​thus far. The outpouring of support Ryan has received is truly remarkable and we could not be more grateful!

Since our last post, Ryan has made significant progress, but the road ahead is long and steep. 

On May 9th, Ryan was relocated to Craig Hospital in Englewood, Colorado, a world-renowned rehabilitation hospital that exclusively specializes in the rehabilitation of patients with spinal cord and brain injuries. With the incredible treatment he is receiving, including daily therapy, Ryan continues to improve in strength and stamina. 

Here are a few of Ryan’s recent milestones:

 

• When Ryan first arrived at Craig Hospital, he was on a ventilator. It only took Ryan six days, less than half the time of most patients, to wean off of the ventilator which is a HUGE WIN!
• Three days after his arrival to Craig, Ryan was able to go outside into the sun for the first time since the accident, more than three weeks prior 
• Miraculously, the movement is slowly returning to Ryan’s arms, and he is able to start learning how to do things like scratch his face with assistive wrist equipment and put his hands in his arm rests
• Recently, Ryan volunteered for a research study in which electrical currents are delivered to muscle groups in a coordinated order to reorganize his muscle memory and hopefully relearn daily tasks such as feeding himself

We are hopeful that with time and dedicated care, Ryan will be able to create a new, albeit very different life, full of joy, freedom, and new adventures. 

In order to achieve such a high-functioning and independent quality of life, Ryan and our family will continue to encounter a host of expenses, which is why your support is so vital. 

Some of these expenses include a wheelchair accessible vehicle, a complete home retrofit with  wheelchair ramps and ceiling lifts, and extensive home remodeling to accommodate Ryan’s shifting reality. With the proper equipment and home improvements, medically-trained caregivers and Ryan’s family will be able to assist him in adapting to all the challenges that are sure to come his way. Our hope is that, with proper financial support, we can facilitate an adaptive environment that will allow Ryan to flourish and live a free, independent life without limitations. This includes adaptive sporting equipment so that Ryan may one day return to the outdoors, his true passion. 

Lastly, your contributions also allow our family to take the needed time off from work to be there for Ryan during this incredibly emotional and challenging time. 

This tragedy has changed all of our lives forever, but, with your generous support, we are confident that Ryan will be able to return to the vivacious, energetic, free-spirit he is meant to be.

From the bottom of our hearts, we thank you for all of your generosity!

Stay tuned for more updates on Ryan’s road to recovery!