Tuesday, January 15, 2008

Ryan's Story


They say that life can change in a blink of an eye. In 1997 my snow globe of a life was picked up, shaken violently, and set back down...and now I waited for the snow to fall back down and settle where it was.

The car accident was a strange twist of fate that took me from a beautifully naïve teenage athlete, to something more unknown and vague. I no longer looked toward the future, because I could no longer see what would be foretold. My back was broken, leaving my spinal cord damaged to an irreversible level. Although not as devastatingly permanent, injuries ranging from road-rash, to collapsed lungs, to broken femurs took my attention away from what I had yet to face… my wheelchair bound future.


From that night on my world became a challenge….not in the sense of feeling burdened or defeated, quite the opposite in fact. This was a feeling of yearning for more. An instant transformation of drive and strength caused me to lift myself up into a wheelchair and I began to push.

First, I pushed to finish high school on time. I pushed to be considered a normal college student who didn’t need any special help. I pushed to independently live on my own. I pushed my way through the workforce. I pushed to swim again. I pushed to see the limitless potential that was inside of me all along.

College taught me to choose a life that I enjoyed, not always something that came easily to me. I chose to study science; I believe mostly due to what I learned while living in a hospital room. Science had never been a strength of mine, but all of the newfound knowledge I had burst into my brain and sang songs of innovation, analysis, and creativity that I had never known before. I still feel this same enthusiasm today and live to share it with those who will listen.

While at college I also found a new passion: coaching. Coaching gave me such a sense of pride and fulfillment. I became a coach only when my own swim team deemed me unable to participate as a swimmer anymore. My first step was to prove them wrong and remain the swimmer I had always been. I feel so fortunate to have had my coaching experiences. This truly is where I began to form academic philosophies and gain insight into children’s lives.

As with the falling snow in my now right-side-up snow globe, I fell into coaching my high school alma mater as well. It was wonderful to be back at the school, to be able to give back to the community that had once shown me so much love and support when I truly needed nothing more. Being a small part of the school, I began to understand what it truly meant to be a teacher. Before long, others had noticed my interest and passion for positively motivating and affecting kids’ lives and encouraged me to pursue a teaching career…I got my Master’s Degree in Education and have been teaching now for the past 3 years.


As I sit here in my office at 4:48pm awaiting my Junior Varsity girls’ practice and rehashing the day, I notice and absorb both visible love and intangible love: The colored pictures and notes from my students that I have strategically placed on my wall. The four kids that just left my office after being here for an hour. One to make up a quiz. One to ask about our final review. One to get chemistry help, although I am not her teacher and I don’t teach chemistry. One to chat about her school day and what she has finally decided for the 84th time to be when she grows up. It has been a good day The combination of all of these things shows me that I have the power to change lives, no matter where I sit

Photos:  Top-Ryan helping to build a house in Paraguay
  Middle- Ryan in the Tri-Way Triathlon
  Bottom - Ryan swimming in the La Jolla Cove CAF Triathlon 2006

9 comments:

Anonymous said...

Ryan, Thanks. You mean more to me then I can ever put in words. I pray that you get what you want. You are my Hero.

Anonymous said...

Hey Ryan-
You have come a long way and congrats on teaching! I will totally do anything to help you as much as I can and will pass your story on to all I know. You are an inspiration to everyone and I only want the best for you.

Anonymous said...

We're so proud of you! We hope this amazing treatment becomes a reality. You are always in our thoughts and prayers.

Anonymous said...

Ryan,

Although our time spent together has been brief, you really touched me as an amazing, determined, and inspirational individual.

Swimming way out in La Jolla Cove, now that's intense. What about the seaweed/sharks?

Best of wishes in India.

Anonymous said...

I missed your story when you told it to all the creek swim/ dive girls a few weeks back (I had to leave practice early), and this really inspires me. Hope that all goes well in India!

Anonymous said...

Ryan I just finished watching your story on Channel 9 News. I am a retired swim coach from Ft. Lauderdale I have coached some 30+ years. In retirement I have had time to reflect on some of my swimming experiences and I am writing a swimming blog to share with the swimming community. May I add your blog to my blogroll. I think it would be a great inspiration. I will keep you in my daily prayer's
Coach Pete Spagnuolo
If you would like to check out my blog go to: http://coachpete.wordpress.com

Anonymous said...

Hi Ryan,
I saw the stories about you on the news the other night. I had heard that you were coaching and teaching at Creek, that is so amazing. I think about you all and that fatefull night everytime I drive C-470 past Broadway. I am so glad to see that you are doing well. Good luck in India, I'll be thinking about you and sending you postivie energy.

All the best,
Seren Waldman (CCHS swimming '95-'99)

Anonymous said...

Ryan,
I know you don't know me, but I wanted to write and tell you about a doctor who is here in colorado. Her name is Dr. Dianna Alba, and she is a homiopatheic who works with neuro integration. She has helped over accident victims with amazing results. I think 9 news did a story on her and the process.

I know you don't know me, but I would recommend just calling her and talking to her, I know she be would upfront and honest, as that is how she is. She is a great lady. Plus the treatments in India could be complimentary. Here is her info if you are interested.
Dr. Diana Alba
7950 E Prentice Ave Ste 100
Greenwood Vlg, CO 80111-2723
Phone: (303) 773-0793

She cured me of chronic migraines, I know it is a very different thing, but it really improved my quality of life.

Best regards.

lorena said...

Hi ryan you do not know me but I came across your article in the Summit Daily and just had to tell you what a awsome person you are. We all take life for granted and when something bad happens we just want to give up and you have taught me today that it takes strengh and power from inside to get up and do something about it. I wish I could help you get to where you need to go but the money is just not there but...I will be praying for you everyday and I will tell everyone I know about you. You will never know how you touched my heart I could not have read this page on a better day Thank you so much. Keep on swimming I know I will!!!!!

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