When Ryan was born, he was just like any other baby.  But then something went wrong.  His brain stopped growing.

Neurologists from across the country have been unable to determine what happened.  “Ryan is waiting for medical science to catch up,” says his dad, Scott.

Ryan didn’t speak.  “He had a couple of words at age three, but then they left,” his mom, Julie, explains.  His significant physical disabilities had relegated him to a wheelchair.

His parents tapped into every possible resource to help Ryan develop to the best of his abilities, but as he grew, so did their worries.

They became concerned for Ryan’s physical safety. “We had to be with him all the time for his own protection,” Julie admits.  Ryan’s complicated educational needs were also taxing his school’s resources.

When Ryan was 8 years old, his parents came to a heartbreaking realization: he needed more help than their family and community could provide.

“Placing Ryan at Hope was a tough decision for our family,” Scott remembers.  “But having him at Hope gives us tremendous peace of mind.  We know he’s getting the best education from experts who are trained to help children with his type of challenges.”

Today, Ryan lives in a community home and rides the bus to The Hope School Learning Center campus.  Through therapy, he’s started walking with standby assistance. He’s interacting with classmates and participating in activities.

He’s developing into an independent and self-assured young man!  And his hopeful future is due, in large part, to the ongoing and generous support of caring friends like you.

Thank you for opening your heart to the special needs of children like Ryan and all the boys and girls at The Hope Institute.

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