Ryan's Road to Recovery: Overcoming Head Trauma

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Dear friends and compassionate hearts, we urgently need your support for Ryan & Ellie Pracy, who are facing an unexpected challenge. Your generosity can make a significant difference in their journey, and together, we can make a positive impact on their life.

On August 27th, a routine workday at Lowe's took a devastating turn for Ryan, altering the course of his life. While diligently working, a steel beam unexpectedly fell and struck Ryan on his head, inflicting severe brain trauma that continues to impact nearly every aspect of his life. Instead of receiving the support and assistance one would expect in such a traumatic situation, Lowe's has shockingly denied responsibility, claiming, 'There's no way this could have happened.' - Yet, it has. Ryan was still technically a Lowe’s employee until early November, however his coworkers were told ‘They are not allowed to speak with him’, which as an Australian who has only recently immigrated to the US, has drastically closed his circle of people and this has further effected his mental health in this difficult time. Additionally, because of the challenges imposed by certain American systems, they are unable to tap into any financial support that others in comparable situations might have access to.

Now, in the face of this injustice Ryan and his wife Ellie- who are still grappling not only with the physical, mental and emotional toll of Ryan's injuries, but also with the mounting medical costs- are left with no choice but to take legal action against Lowe's, in an effort to secure the compensation necessary to cover his ongoing medical expenses and lost wages. This GoFundMe campaign stands as a beacon of hope, rallying support for Ryan and Ellie in their pursuit of justice and financial relief during this difficult time. 

A glimpse into Ryan and Ellie's journey for those who may not be familiar with it. Their story began in 2011 when they serendipitously crossed paths through their creative pursuits—Ryan, a photographer and Ellie, a design student. Originating from opposite ends of the world, Ryan hailing from the scenic Blue Mountains in Australia, and Ellie from the Twin Cities in Minnesota – they defied the distance. After years of traversing continents, the couple exchanged vows in 2017 at Franconia Sculpture Park in Minnesota. 

Despite the challenges of relocating during the pandemic and acclimating to a new climate and culture, the couple was thrilled to establish their roots. Ryan not only secured a job where he excelled, but they also began volunteering weekly at the local animal shelter, Caring for Cats, passionately embracing their community. Together, they enthusiastically mapped out plans for a promising future. This year, the couple, along with their beloved fur babies Leo & Fin, achieved a significant milestone by moving into their dream home in April. Eager to turn this house into a home, they embraced the adventure of home renovations and landscaping. Every paint stroke, every planted seed is a step toward making their living space uniquely theirs. Unfortunately, the excitement for this new adventure was short lived as it was only a four months later that Ryan's accident occurred.

The recovery since the accident has been challenging, to say the least. Despite the couple’s unwavering positivity and their consistent refrain that "he is doing better than he was," the road to recovery remains long for Ryan, and the ultimate outcome, whether he will fully return to his pre-injury state, remains uncertain. Ryan's Traumatic Brain Injury has resulted in a range of debilitating symptoms that he's been left to deal with, on top of the nearly constant and at times extremely crippling migraines he experiences, the visual information processing center of his brain is no longer functioning correctly. Due to this he experiences tunnel vision, static haze, focal binding and light sensitivity. Things that once used to bring him joy, such as his love of music, photography and volunteering at the cat shelter, have become nearly impossible to continue. Even engaging in seemingly routine activities, such as observing fall leaves or working on a simple puzzle, becomes overwhelming for Ryan, as it triggers aggravated symptoms, stressing the challenges he faces daily.

In addressing these symptoms, Ryan has been diligently attending a concussion clinic twice a week since the accident. The therapists at the clinic have been nothing short of remarkable, offering unwavering encouragement throughout his treatment. With their guidance, they are hopeful that, over time, Ryan can regain his usual active lifestyle. In addition to adhering to his daily healing routine, Ryan is challenging himself as much as possible by conscientiously executing a set of visual, vestibular and cognitive exercises, such as integrating daily walks into his path to recovery. Assisting Ryan in this endeavor is his feline companion, Fin, who is a comforting presence throughout this healing process, Fin joins him in a cat stroller that doubles as a walking aid for Ryan as he regains his footing. Despite the uncertainties ahead, Ryan remains resilient, actively striving to reclaim his former self. For those familiar with Ryan, it comes as no surprise he is not one to passively watch life unfold. Instead, he wholeheartedly seeks to immerse himself fully in every experience.

As they navigate this challenging chapter in Ryan's life, they are humbled by the ongoing support, love, and encouragement they’ve received from friends, family, and even those they’ve never met. Your generosity has already made a meaningful impact on their journey, and as they continue to face the uncertainties ahead, they humbly ask for your ongoing emotional and financial support. Your contributions, whether big or small, will make a significant difference in easing the financial burden of Ryan’s loss of income and medical expenses on his road to recovery. Your support is incredibly meaningful to them, and they recognize that financial contributions may not be feasible for everyone. If you're unable to contribute financially, they will be immensely grateful for your support in spreading the word. A simple share on social media or with your network can make a significant impact. From the bottom of our entire family’s hearts, thank you for being a crucial part of this healing journey and helping them bring back the joy and vitality to Ryan's life.