Ryan's Rehab Recovery Fund
Donation protected
Our wonderful friend Caroline Estrada's son , Ryan, who is a 16 year old student at Godwin High School in Richmond, Virginia was in a single car accident on November 8, 2017. Ryan was on his way to school on a rainy morning and was running late. As he was trying to go around a bicyclist on the road he had traveled every morning, he lost control of his car running off the road into the trees. He suffered a broken vertebrae in his neck and severe spinal cord injury at the C4 resulting in paralysis of his hands and legs. He spent seven days in the trauma center at the VCU Medical Center and has now been moved to the Spinal Cord Injury Rehabilitation Center at VCU.
As Caroline prepares to bring Ryan home, doctors and therapists have informed her of all the equipment necessary including a motorized wheelchair, a wheelchair accessible van, a chair lift for the stairs, a Hoyer lift for all transfers just to start. The rehab therapists have been using the Tobi Dynavox with Ryan in the hospital and highly recommend he purchase one for home. This technology allows Ryan to use his eyes to operate a computer since he does not have use of his hands. They will also need to make renovations to their home to accommodate Ryan's new life.
As you can imagine this life changing event in itself is completely overwhelming for Caroline and their family. Ryan's doctor keeps saying to Caroline, "Prepare for the worst and hope for the best," so she wants to plan now for Ryan's discharge to home as early as December 27. Of course, Ryan wants more than anything to be home especially now at the holidays. As much as Caroline wants to do everything for herself,as she always has for her three boys, we know she needs financial support to make Ryan's rehab recovery go as smoothly as possible.
We have calculated the financial goal based on the cost of items that will be needed initially and know there will be more in the future. Please consider helping Ryan and his family so they can focus their energy and strength on his rehabilitation and recovery. Any gift is greatly appreciated. Ryan, Caroline, and the entire family are so grateful for your prayers and support.


As Caroline prepares to bring Ryan home, doctors and therapists have informed her of all the equipment necessary including a motorized wheelchair, a wheelchair accessible van, a chair lift for the stairs, a Hoyer lift for all transfers just to start. The rehab therapists have been using the Tobi Dynavox with Ryan in the hospital and highly recommend he purchase one for home. This technology allows Ryan to use his eyes to operate a computer since he does not have use of his hands. They will also need to make renovations to their home to accommodate Ryan's new life.
As you can imagine this life changing event in itself is completely overwhelming for Caroline and their family. Ryan's doctor keeps saying to Caroline, "Prepare for the worst and hope for the best," so she wants to plan now for Ryan's discharge to home as early as December 27. Of course, Ryan wants more than anything to be home especially now at the holidays. As much as Caroline wants to do everything for herself,as she always has for her three boys, we know she needs financial support to make Ryan's rehab recovery go as smoothly as possible.
We have calculated the financial goal based on the cost of items that will be needed initially and know there will be more in the future. Please consider helping Ryan and his family so they can focus their energy and strength on his rehabilitation and recovery. Any gift is greatly appreciated. Ryan, Caroline, and the entire family are so grateful for your prayers and support.
Organizer and beneficiary
Melanie Stowe Wielar
Organizer
Richmond, VA
Caroline Downing Estrada
Beneficiary