Life changing Trackchair for Ryan O'Neill
Donation protected
Friends, family, coworkers, and acquaintances,
We come to you today, seeking your support and prayers, as we strive to help provide Ryan, with the greatest life, he so deserves. You all were so kind and generous, when we reached out in a time of the unknown, and now we are seeking your help again. Let's give Ryan the freedom, he and his family, so deserve!
On behalf of my family, I (his sister, Jeni) would like to share with you, a bit about our beloved Ryan. Ryan is an amazing son, brother, uncle, husband, father and friend. Ryan spent the middle part of his life, growing up in Woodland, Washington, attending Woodland High School and being known for his charismatic, jovial and inspiring personality. Ryan was an active member in his community and served 6 years, in the Army National Guard. Ryan always has so much kindness and compassion for others, and is known as an adventurer. Snowboarding, hiking, mountain biking, you name it, and Ryan was there! One of Ryan’s greatest joys, was playing with his nieces and nephews. While the “grownups” were visiting inside the house, you could find Uncle Ryan running amok with the kids outside, conjuring up some game from his endless imagination, and captivating all of their attention.
As a young man, Ryan moved out to Sheridan, Wyoming, where he met his wife, Ariane. Ryan quickly grew on the Sheridan community, as well. From new friends, to those he worked with, to the members of the Old Apostolic church, everyone quickly fell in love with Ryan, just as we all of us already had, back home. In March of 2014, Ryan married his Bride, Ariane and by August, 2016 they welcomed their daughter, Brinnley.
Two years ago, on the morning of October 9th, 2017, Ryan kissed his then pregnant wife Ariane, and his daughter Brinnley, goodbye. While driving to work, on this cold Fall morning, Ryan’s truck hit a patch of ice, and sent him spinning. I will never forget, that deafening phone call. I think all of our hearts skipped a beat that day. Ryan had been ejected from his truck, suffered a traumatic brain injury, shattered his T5 and T6 vertebra, completely severing his spinal cord, leaving him a paraplegic from the chest down, at the young age of 35. Ryan was life flighted to Trauma Center in Casper Wyoming, where he and his family, would await the news.
As Ryan progressed in his healing, it was time to enter into rehabilitation. On October 25th, 2017, Ryan was transferred to the Craig Neuroscience Center in Englewood, Colorado. However, therapy was delayed, due to surgery for a newly discovered fractured scaphoid bone (located in the wrist). So, they restructured their therapy regimen, by casting his arm and putting him in a power chair. No surprise to all who knew him, Ryan began taking amazing strides towards recovery. Ryan was never a quitter, and this certainly wasn’t going to stop him!
Once again, Ryan showed his strong will and capabilities, and on December 8th, 2017, after two months in the hospital, Ryan finally got to go home! It was mind blowing to see how much progression he’d made in such a short amount of time...but at the same time, that is exactly who Ryan is, an overcomer!
On December 28th, 2017 Ryan and Ariane welcomed their son, Anvil. After welcoming the new baby, adjusting to his new life and activities of daily living at home, Ryan returned to Craig, to finish his rehabilitation. This time, Ryan was fitted for his standard manual chair, his daily “get around”. During this stint in rehab, Ryan was determined to continue to become as independent as possible. So, he bought a new truck and learned how to drive using paddle controls! Ryan was able to once again receive his driving license! Ryan has a chair lift that loads his manual chair in and out of the back of his truck, and Ryan designed a weather cover for it, himself! On August 28th, 2018 Ryan began working for Vacutech, in Sheridan, Wyoming, welding from his wheelchair! Ryan works 10 hours a day, 4-5 days a week, EVERY. SINGLE. WEEK.
Go ahead....look at all Ryan has done in these two short years, and then give me a reason why you can't go out and give it YOUR best, today! What a true inspiration he is!! He will never admit it himself, as he is too humble....but man, what in inspiration!
In November 2018, Ryan and Arianne began building their wheelchair assessible home and were able to move in August, 2019.
When asked by his mother Tracy, what we can do to help Ryan further gain his independence and help him to make life the best it can be, here was his response, in his own words, “I wanted to tell you, Momma, I never once had the ‘why me’ thoughts or pity parties, or crying, or never really any bad or negative thoughts towards myself, life or God. The only thing that’s really gotten to me in all of this, is that I feel like I got to run around with everyone else's kids, but my own. Hiking has and always will be my biggest passion. Any chance or excuse I get to be in the mountains, I take it. I would love to be able to enjoy it with My kids too. This will get me back out there.”
So, what is “this”? What is "this", that will allow Ryan to get out into the wilderness and allow him to make memories with his own kids? A Trackchair. A Trackchair is a power chair, on steroids! This chair will allow Ryan to go on hikes with his kids, take walks with his wife, and enjoy many more outdoor activities as a family. Not to mention, Wyoming has very harsh winters, in which case Ryan is often times stuck in the house. The Trackchair would allow him to be out in the snow to play with his kids, be able to still work and go to church inclement weather, and he can even shovel the snow from his driveway in it! In addition, the Trackchair will allow Ryan, to stand. There are endless health benefits to standing after a spinal cord injury, including reduction of pressure sores, better blood circulation, tightening the internal cavities, and so much more. In addition, this will allow him to more easily participate in daily activities that require standing, not to mention, the sense of dignity that comes with standing, eye to eye, during a conversation. All those little details we so easily and absentmindedly take for granted, every day. Our goal is to raise the $19,000 for the Trackchair, by Christmas. What an amazing gift that would be, and just in time for the harsh winter to come!
So, we ask you, dear friends and family, to join us in prayer and donation. We truly believe that our Father in Heaven is our true provider and that He will speak to the hearts of those who desire to give. We would like to thank you in advance for your generosity and we ask for your continued prayers. Prayers not only for this dream to be made possible, but prayers for Ryan and the family. God has already proved how big He is, how generous He is, but we continue to ask for prayer that we may remember to seek His guidance, always. Prayers that we may remember to seek our strength, our clarity, our provision, in Him. Our God is so, so good, and so are all of you. We love and appreciate every single one of you, for taking your time to hear Ryan's story, and to give as you are led. On behalf of Ryan and the family, thank you.
We come to you today, seeking your support and prayers, as we strive to help provide Ryan, with the greatest life, he so deserves. You all were so kind and generous, when we reached out in a time of the unknown, and now we are seeking your help again. Let's give Ryan the freedom, he and his family, so deserve!
On behalf of my family, I (his sister, Jeni) would like to share with you, a bit about our beloved Ryan. Ryan is an amazing son, brother, uncle, husband, father and friend. Ryan spent the middle part of his life, growing up in Woodland, Washington, attending Woodland High School and being known for his charismatic, jovial and inspiring personality. Ryan was an active member in his community and served 6 years, in the Army National Guard. Ryan always has so much kindness and compassion for others, and is known as an adventurer. Snowboarding, hiking, mountain biking, you name it, and Ryan was there! One of Ryan’s greatest joys, was playing with his nieces and nephews. While the “grownups” were visiting inside the house, you could find Uncle Ryan running amok with the kids outside, conjuring up some game from his endless imagination, and captivating all of their attention.
As a young man, Ryan moved out to Sheridan, Wyoming, where he met his wife, Ariane. Ryan quickly grew on the Sheridan community, as well. From new friends, to those he worked with, to the members of the Old Apostolic church, everyone quickly fell in love with Ryan, just as we all of us already had, back home. In March of 2014, Ryan married his Bride, Ariane and by August, 2016 they welcomed their daughter, Brinnley.
Two years ago, on the morning of October 9th, 2017, Ryan kissed his then pregnant wife Ariane, and his daughter Brinnley, goodbye. While driving to work, on this cold Fall morning, Ryan’s truck hit a patch of ice, and sent him spinning. I will never forget, that deafening phone call. I think all of our hearts skipped a beat that day. Ryan had been ejected from his truck, suffered a traumatic brain injury, shattered his T5 and T6 vertebra, completely severing his spinal cord, leaving him a paraplegic from the chest down, at the young age of 35. Ryan was life flighted to Trauma Center in Casper Wyoming, where he and his family, would await the news.
As Ryan progressed in his healing, it was time to enter into rehabilitation. On October 25th, 2017, Ryan was transferred to the Craig Neuroscience Center in Englewood, Colorado. However, therapy was delayed, due to surgery for a newly discovered fractured scaphoid bone (located in the wrist). So, they restructured their therapy regimen, by casting his arm and putting him in a power chair. No surprise to all who knew him, Ryan began taking amazing strides towards recovery. Ryan was never a quitter, and this certainly wasn’t going to stop him!
Once again, Ryan showed his strong will and capabilities, and on December 8th, 2017, after two months in the hospital, Ryan finally got to go home! It was mind blowing to see how much progression he’d made in such a short amount of time...but at the same time, that is exactly who Ryan is, an overcomer!
On December 28th, 2017 Ryan and Ariane welcomed their son, Anvil. After welcoming the new baby, adjusting to his new life and activities of daily living at home, Ryan returned to Craig, to finish his rehabilitation. This time, Ryan was fitted for his standard manual chair, his daily “get around”. During this stint in rehab, Ryan was determined to continue to become as independent as possible. So, he bought a new truck and learned how to drive using paddle controls! Ryan was able to once again receive his driving license! Ryan has a chair lift that loads his manual chair in and out of the back of his truck, and Ryan designed a weather cover for it, himself! On August 28th, 2018 Ryan began working for Vacutech, in Sheridan, Wyoming, welding from his wheelchair! Ryan works 10 hours a day, 4-5 days a week, EVERY. SINGLE. WEEK.
Go ahead....look at all Ryan has done in these two short years, and then give me a reason why you can't go out and give it YOUR best, today! What a true inspiration he is!! He will never admit it himself, as he is too humble....but man, what in inspiration!
In November 2018, Ryan and Arianne began building their wheelchair assessible home and were able to move in August, 2019.
When asked by his mother Tracy, what we can do to help Ryan further gain his independence and help him to make life the best it can be, here was his response, in his own words, “I wanted to tell you, Momma, I never once had the ‘why me’ thoughts or pity parties, or crying, or never really any bad or negative thoughts towards myself, life or God. The only thing that’s really gotten to me in all of this, is that I feel like I got to run around with everyone else's kids, but my own. Hiking has and always will be my biggest passion. Any chance or excuse I get to be in the mountains, I take it. I would love to be able to enjoy it with My kids too. This will get me back out there.”
So, what is “this”? What is "this", that will allow Ryan to get out into the wilderness and allow him to make memories with his own kids? A Trackchair. A Trackchair is a power chair, on steroids! This chair will allow Ryan to go on hikes with his kids, take walks with his wife, and enjoy many more outdoor activities as a family. Not to mention, Wyoming has very harsh winters, in which case Ryan is often times stuck in the house. The Trackchair would allow him to be out in the snow to play with his kids, be able to still work and go to church inclement weather, and he can even shovel the snow from his driveway in it! In addition, the Trackchair will allow Ryan, to stand. There are endless health benefits to standing after a spinal cord injury, including reduction of pressure sores, better blood circulation, tightening the internal cavities, and so much more. In addition, this will allow him to more easily participate in daily activities that require standing, not to mention, the sense of dignity that comes with standing, eye to eye, during a conversation. All those little details we so easily and absentmindedly take for granted, every day. Our goal is to raise the $19,000 for the Trackchair, by Christmas. What an amazing gift that would be, and just in time for the harsh winter to come!
So, we ask you, dear friends and family, to join us in prayer and donation. We truly believe that our Father in Heaven is our true provider and that He will speak to the hearts of those who desire to give. We would like to thank you in advance for your generosity and we ask for your continued prayers. Prayers not only for this dream to be made possible, but prayers for Ryan and the family. God has already proved how big He is, how generous He is, but we continue to ask for prayer that we may remember to seek His guidance, always. Prayers that we may remember to seek our strength, our clarity, our provision, in Him. Our God is so, so good, and so are all of you. We love and appreciate every single one of you, for taking your time to hear Ryan's story, and to give as you are led. On behalf of Ryan and the family, thank you.
Organizer
Jenifer Villanueva
Organizer
Woodland, WA