Welcome

Thank you for visiting to check in on Ryan's progress towards recovery. Ryan has always been there for everyone he knows and right now we all hope we can live up to his example by being there for him and his family while he heals. He is strong and we all know that if anyone can come through this it is him.

While Ryan's injuries are serious and frightening, the best thing for us to do is all stay on the same page with accurate information but also all stay positive and look forward to the good news to come. The aim of this site is to reflect the incremental changes in his condition. Also, this should provide a space to express your love and concern for Ryan and his family.

Friday, June 10, 2011

Progress at Ryan's House

The hardwood floors on Ryan's rental unit are nearly re-finished and the kitchen cabinets have been installed. Pictures to follow soon enough!

There will be some volunteers working at Ryan's house this week removing debris from under the house (left over from when Ryan and friends gutted the house) and hopefully making progress on the exterior painting.

We are going to have another work day on Saturday, June 18th from 10a-4p at his house. Please email jim@pnola.org if you are able to help out that day.

We are looking forward to showing Ryan pictures of all the progress!

Monday, June 6, 2011

Monday update

A couple of more updates to report from this weekend and today. Therapy still takes up most of his weekdays. For the first time, doctors held him up and assisted him through basic walking motions. Although Ryan can’t stand or support himself yet, the doctors are hoping that this therapy will help him regain movement in the future.

Since having his trach tube removed, Ryan almost immediately started swallowing and drinking. Late last week he started eating solid foods for the first time. According to his nurses, Ryan has quite the appetite and puts down a couple of servings of food at a time. Now that Ryan is eating again, the doctors plan to remove his PEG tube sometime today.

Ryan is able to speak, but he still only says a few words at a time. He is working with a speech therapist daily, and will occasionally put together sentences. With time, he should be able to say more.

For those of you in town or planning to visit him soon, he was moved down the hall to room 622 yesterday. Please continue to visit him. It is important at this stage that he is often exposed to familiar faces.