I’m so excited to tell you (especially you car enthusiasts who will be in town this weekend for the Ryan Diviney Festival) that a fully-equipped handicap accessible van will be donated to Ryan! This is from the same family who gave Ryan the shower chair and sling (and many other supplies).
I hope I get this story right. The intriguing story behind this van is it began its service in California, some 25 years ago (I believe it’s a 1985 1984 model) and had just the one two owners. It was driven shipped to West Virginia when the parents (and owners) moved in with their daughter in 2002 so she could care for them. Sadly, they passed last year. I can only hope that, someway, they might know how much this helps us. We will be able to take him places more easily.
So, okay, no getting around it, it looks a bit dated even though it has a remarkably low 77,000 miles on it. But I have a plan for that and I hope someone might be able to help. I’d like to repair a few tiny areas of surface rust and repaint it.
Now, I just don’t want to do a typical paint job… I want to custom paint it. I’d like to make it about Ryan… classy. You know, maybe put the well-known “Ryan’s Rally: We Got This” and the website address on the sides. It would be another vehicle (pun intended) to keep Ryan relevant. Like everything, cost weighs heavily into the decision and I hope someone might give their services and supplies in exchange for advertising on the website and van itself.
[poll id=”7″]See previous poll answers here.
So, what do you think about customizing the van to draw attention to Ryan? Should I also put the mug shots of the thugs that did this to him on it? Am I silly for thinking this way?
india is perfection made baby! congratulations to the whole family! i hope V will adapt to her new role soon…i'm told i wasn't very accepting of my little sister when i was 4 either but now she's my best friend. 🙂
I’m not quite sure how to say this; you made it extremely easy for me!
க மத ன வ ய ன ல ம பச த தன ம ப க த ! OBCs will also behave teseehlvms in relationship with SCs and STs in future when life in villages gets more and more urbanised, meaning the worth and importance of the individual as against the group begin to be valued. The labels ‘SCs’ and ‘STs’, too, will fall off. Improvement in social conditions in the lives of OBCs/ SCs/ STs will render caste identities imposed by Brahmins redundant and otiose. I mean, no religion will be contexulaised with castes. The orthodox Brahmins and their lickers’ will have to revamp the core values of their religion in order to survive in the new world. The writings of Tilak, Hegdewar and Savarkar for brahminical glory will become a laughing stock. As Arul has pointed out time and again, our society should liberate itself from the brahminical values first. His is not a original idea: it is Periyaar’s. If you conduct rig vedic yaga in your temple, no one but your relations and your lickers, is going to mind you. You and your lickers can do any thing : it wont impact the general society as a whole, unlike in the past when yours was the only religion and the Hindu social philosophy was to be observed by one and all.If at all there are quarrels between people, it wont be on the bases of castes from religion, but for the scramble for the scant resources and due to inequal distribution of such resources only. Such a scramble is a perennial and bitter reality of human life, as you know.
I’m so glad you are getting a set of wheels. However I would vote against pictures of the convicts. A picture of Ryan and Duke (not to offend your other dog) would be eye catching. I’m looking forward to hearing about the reports from IBRF. I know Hannah was greatly impressed and hopeful with his progress her last visit.
Wonderful news on the van.
Vistaprint an online site does a nice job with magnets for cars.
Can’t wait to see a picture of Ryan’s van on this Web site! We are all very thankful that this generosity was directed to your family. God at work.
I’ll post a picture tomorrow.
Diviney family, I am so excited about the van. I work for an ambulance company that donated one to us. I remember the first time we brought Courtney home for a visit. It was scarey exciting. That was the day a few tears rolled down her eyes and also the day she got her Quadriciser and her one year post injury day. Lots of first that day. Your family is so remarkable. Ryan is going to love the open road with his dad and mom. I cant wait to hear about it. I am just smiling so big, just like it is my child. We are on this road together and you are not and will never be alone! Much love and prayers
I have a dream: A newsletter entitled, “On The Road Again with Ryan and Ken.” Think of all the possibilities… …
Many thanks to the family that donated. No thug pictures. The West Virginia Department of Corrections have dutifully made those mug shots available on their website for all eternity. Ah, gotta love the digital age!!
Agreed that no thugs on the van. We know who they are and that’s enough. We should focus on Ryan and his continued great progress!
It’s actually an ’84 and we’ve had it since ’86. When my parents moved from CA to WV in ’02, they paid to have it shipped on a flatbed — another reason the miles are so low.
After all this build-up, I hope it doesn’t die when we try to drive it to you! LOL Mama and Daddy would be sooooo happy they’re helping Ryan!!!
It won’t! But, in any event, we would just put out the word for an auto mechanic!! Can we ever thank you enough, Way too Tired. Love the name.
May your kindness be returned to you a hundred fold. Many blessings as well! Thank you for your donation.
Renie, you are a model of what family is all about.
God bless you and thank you for your kindness and generousity. We have all been hoping and praying for a van for Ryan. I agree that your parents would be happy that they’re helping Ryan, and they should also be proud of you!
Ken if you need any graphic design help, just let me know!
Look at this!! Offers coming in already!! Well, I’m not surprised, seeing everything good that is happening! Right on, Folks! Thank you God
I will just ask for help right now.
Seriously Ken, if you go the car magnet route, I will definitely design for free and know a dealer rep and can see if I can get you a good deal! Can you see my email address on the back end? I used to coach Kari in lax with Jen at BR : )
Meg! I remember you well. I believe there is a way to locate your email.
Great news about the van. I am very happy for you. My prayers continue.
Great that you have a van–by all means customize it–in a positive way (no thugs…don’t want to reinforce bad behavior–understatement there). Ryan and Duke, and the rest of the fam too..
I keep you in my prayers daily…keep on doing. Annie
The custom paint job sounds great, but I think the thug mug shots would be a waste of space. (Personally, I’d be tempted to throw eggs or something worse at their pics… and I know I’m not the only one who feels this way.) I say keep the van positive.
So happy for you receiving a van! Anxiously waiting for news of the IBRF (I think that is the right order of letters!) report! Here, praying and never forgetting…
We heard the report is complete and under doctor review.
Praying for GOOD news !!! and waiting ..Takes so long ; your nerves must be shot Hang in Ken as you’ve done all along Gail
Ken, Great news about getting van, definitely customize it with Ryans Rally We Got This. And any thing else you like but NO thugs Never want to see them except in jail….Sure hope this makes things a little easier for you all and things are getting settled in new rooms …Love to Ryan and you all…Hoping Sat. Will be a HUGE success. Gail
I like the customized paint job (with WVU colors?) showing your website and a pic of Ryan and Duke on the side. Make it about them, not the convicts. Everyone loves a boy and his dog!
The first thing you see when you go to the website is the sentence about the convicts that beat Ryan, they are beyond thugs now, they ARE and always will be convicted convicts. The small magnet idea is a great idea, either a magnet or a oval window sticker with the van on it, we can all put on our car/truck. That way we can advertise Team Diviney and the company donating the paint job at the beach, Bethany, Dewey, Rehoboth, Newark, DE. OC, Fenwick, Jersey Shore, Morgantown, in our home towns, every where we travel, we will keep Ryan relevant too.
A BIG thank you to the family who donated the van and condolences on the loss of your parents.
This is heart-warming news here! Please, only a photo of Ryan’s smiling face, the donation address, the website and blog. And if the people who donated the van and the business who custom-painted the van would want it, their name/co. name. An attention-getting, colorful, custom paint job would be a nice donation. It will happen–of this I am sure–Ryan has had great things happening, and he doesn’t have to worry about paying anyone back, because God will take care of it ten fold! And besides, Ryan’s recovery is enough. Thank God. Always here. Love
BTW, do you have a garage in which to keep this beauty when its finished?
We do!
Hi Ken, this is fantastic news!! Maybe you, Ry and Duke could take a drive once in a while just to feel the autumn breeze on your faces.
Love the idea of “We Got This” and maybe a few advertisers on there — I know we’ve got a marketing pro on Team Diviney who could probably help with this!
Yes, it will be more convenient if you can take Ryan to his appointments. Thank you to the generous person who gave this van to the Divineys. Lots of gratitude to you for this act of kindness!!
Got to get you some good sound in that van too, Ken : )
Hoping you and Ryan have a positive day!! Love & prayers, Paula
I agree with putting there faces on the side. Let the world know what these punk a**holes did.
Still here.
Yes, Ryan’s Rally and advertising for customizers(is that a word?), but no thugs. they make us sick to even think of them. Can’t wait to see the van!
Branding…….
So…….you get a large custom magnet for the van (or two styles), instead of a custom paint job (paint would also work for this). Make it something that can be shrunk down and look good in a smaller size and order small ones as well. Definitely include the website. Sell these smaller magnets so that Ryan’s supporters will also be able to purchase and sport a look-alike magnet.
Like a Ryan carnation…get it? Huh? Carnation!
Hopefully, we can populate many cars with Ryan’s rally cry.
Have a good day, sir!
I like it! Still, I would like to clean up the surface rust.
Bryan, Good idea for car …I would love a magnet for my car. ,,,if it ever comes about..Keep up the good work. gail
Good Idea, No Way and No, not at all.
Great news about the van – please don’t put mug shots of the thugs – the further Ryan stays away from them, the better. They have no shame and would take it as a compliment that you’d include them in the vehicle that finally gives you and Ryan some freedom. The only attention they deserve is that from a judge and jury. I’m hopeful you’ll receive more good news from the recent testing that Ryan went through with IBRF. Hope you are enjoying your basement renovation. It was nice to see Ryan enjoy the simple pleasure of a shower. God Bless.