Roo's Whos
Donation protected
Thanks WCCO, Liz Collin and Tom Aviles for an excellent story!
https://minnesota.cbslocal.com/2019/07/29/ryan-palattao-paralyzed-richfield-home-remodel/
Hello Roo’s Whos –
We are reaching out to you after a very challenging 6 years that saw us move from the ICU of Minneapolis Children’s Hospital with Ryan to a point where he is progressing inch by inch. He is a total inspiration as he amazes us with his positive outlook and his special skills.
Your prayers and assistance over the years have literally kept us afloat as we navigate this world of Ryan and his different abilities. We diligently followed and waited for the National Vaccine Compensation Fund process over the past 6 years and, unfortunately, the federal magistrate did not rule in Ryan’s favor to fund home modifications.
Through the years so many have asked “how can we help?”. We said at the time that we would wait and see what help we needed . . . and we are finally here. Our pride has been swallowed and we are now at a point where we need to think about what is right for Ryan.
We are going to need to put an addition on our home in order to make it a functional living space for Ryan and our family. The fundraising goal would help us do this.
Currently, his wheelchair doesn’t fit in the bathroom or most spaces in the house. Although he amazes us with how he adapts and how strong he is, we have to do a lot of lifting, and let’s be honest, our backs and necks feel it (yes, and we are getting old).
Moreover, having a space where Ryan can get to the bathroom and on the toilet himself, or wheel around the house and get himself lunch, or wheel himself into our home from the car, or….
Let’s just say THIS would be priceless, not to mention how good it would be for his social emotional development and independence.
So, whatever you can provide means the world to our family. If you cannot provide monetarily, please keep your prayers and thoughts coming. And please know that asking for help is probably one of the hardest parts of the past 6 ½ years...but we know it will be worth it. THANK YOU from the bottom of our hearts!!!
----------------------
Ryan's Story -
For those who are unfamiliar with Roo's journey, read on. Ryan was a perfectly healthy and happy baby when at six months old, he became gravely ill. His immune system attacked his spinal cord, causing swelling in the cord itself and disintegrating the covering of nerves from all but 3 levels of his spinal cord. Our life as a "typical" family of 5 (Elise was 5 years old and Patrick 3 yrs old) was torn apart. Family lovingly picked up the pieces and cared for our other kids.
We were in the PICU with Ryan on a ventilator with a central line in his neck so he could get medicine directly to his heart. Our baby couldn't move. He underwent three different treatment protocols (steroids, IVIG, and plasmaphoresis) with minimal recovery. But he fought! And still does.
Roo's Whos was created by Greg one sleep deprived PICU night. He imagined all the prayer warriors being like the Who's whispering to Horton in Dr. Seuss' Horton Hears a Who. With prayer and great medical care, Ryan was able to breathe on his own after a month. He started eating, moving his right shoulder, then his right hand. He starting regaining the ability moving one finger at a time over the first year. He had to learn to hold his head up, roll over, and sit up again during that year. He literally has defied the odds!
Now Ryan uses his "wheelz" to get around, keep up with his friends, play with his 12 and 9 year old sis and bro. He has a PCA (Personal Care Attendant) with him all day at school for bathroom and mobility. In our home he commando crawls around the house, as our house isn't totally conducive to him using his wheelchair. We have steps to get in the house and then a step to get into our kitchen. His chair doesn't fit into the bathroom. I could go on and on. BUT, this kid!!! This kid has figured a way to climb stairs with his arms, pull himself up to open a door, get himself dressed (with some help for his braces and shoes). For a little 38 pound 6 year old, this is doable. As he gets older, this will not be as easy and definitely not "normal" for a 9 or 13 or 17 year old to get around his home.
If you are interested and want more pictures, videos, or explanation of the journey, feel free to check out Ryan's Caringbridge at www.caringbridge.org/visit/ryanpalattao
Or, we are always happy to answer any questions!!!
https://minnesota.cbslocal.com/2019/07/29/ryan-palattao-paralyzed-richfield-home-remodel/
Hello Roo’s Whos –
We are reaching out to you after a very challenging 6 years that saw us move from the ICU of Minneapolis Children’s Hospital with Ryan to a point where he is progressing inch by inch. He is a total inspiration as he amazes us with his positive outlook and his special skills.
Your prayers and assistance over the years have literally kept us afloat as we navigate this world of Ryan and his different abilities. We diligently followed and waited for the National Vaccine Compensation Fund process over the past 6 years and, unfortunately, the federal magistrate did not rule in Ryan’s favor to fund home modifications.
Through the years so many have asked “how can we help?”. We said at the time that we would wait and see what help we needed . . . and we are finally here. Our pride has been swallowed and we are now at a point where we need to think about what is right for Ryan.
We are going to need to put an addition on our home in order to make it a functional living space for Ryan and our family. The fundraising goal would help us do this.
Currently, his wheelchair doesn’t fit in the bathroom or most spaces in the house. Although he amazes us with how he adapts and how strong he is, we have to do a lot of lifting, and let’s be honest, our backs and necks feel it (yes, and we are getting old).
Moreover, having a space where Ryan can get to the bathroom and on the toilet himself, or wheel around the house and get himself lunch, or wheel himself into our home from the car, or….
Let’s just say THIS would be priceless, not to mention how good it would be for his social emotional development and independence.
So, whatever you can provide means the world to our family. If you cannot provide monetarily, please keep your prayers and thoughts coming. And please know that asking for help is probably one of the hardest parts of the past 6 ½ years...but we know it will be worth it. THANK YOU from the bottom of our hearts!!!
----------------------
Ryan's Story -
For those who are unfamiliar with Roo's journey, read on. Ryan was a perfectly healthy and happy baby when at six months old, he became gravely ill. His immune system attacked his spinal cord, causing swelling in the cord itself and disintegrating the covering of nerves from all but 3 levels of his spinal cord. Our life as a "typical" family of 5 (Elise was 5 years old and Patrick 3 yrs old) was torn apart. Family lovingly picked up the pieces and cared for our other kids.
We were in the PICU with Ryan on a ventilator with a central line in his neck so he could get medicine directly to his heart. Our baby couldn't move. He underwent three different treatment protocols (steroids, IVIG, and plasmaphoresis) with minimal recovery. But he fought! And still does.
Roo's Whos was created by Greg one sleep deprived PICU night. He imagined all the prayer warriors being like the Who's whispering to Horton in Dr. Seuss' Horton Hears a Who. With prayer and great medical care, Ryan was able to breathe on his own after a month. He started eating, moving his right shoulder, then his right hand. He starting regaining the ability moving one finger at a time over the first year. He had to learn to hold his head up, roll over, and sit up again during that year. He literally has defied the odds!
Now Ryan uses his "wheelz" to get around, keep up with his friends, play with his 12 and 9 year old sis and bro. He has a PCA (Personal Care Attendant) with him all day at school for bathroom and mobility. In our home he commando crawls around the house, as our house isn't totally conducive to him using his wheelchair. We have steps to get in the house and then a step to get into our kitchen. His chair doesn't fit into the bathroom. I could go on and on. BUT, this kid!!! This kid has figured a way to climb stairs with his arms, pull himself up to open a door, get himself dressed (with some help for his braces and shoes). For a little 38 pound 6 year old, this is doable. As he gets older, this will not be as easy and definitely not "normal" for a 9 or 13 or 17 year old to get around his home.
If you are interested and want more pictures, videos, or explanation of the journey, feel free to check out Ryan's Caringbridge at www.caringbridge.org/visit/ryanpalattao
Or, we are always happy to answer any questions!!!
Organizer
Angie Palattao
Organizer
Minneapolis, MN