Just like on all our big holiday meals, Kari likes to give Ryan tiny samples of many of the dishes. These are given on a sterile Q-tip type of cotton swab. The amount he samples is just enough to get the flavor and no larger. Putting more in his mouth would put him at risk of aspiration. We also give him oral care before and after the samples.
I shot the following video (using the iPad holder given to us!) of Kari doing this with Ryan to share with you.
This video, along with many others I’ve made in the past, can now be viewed anytime by going to the Video page from the menu. I made this website enhancement yesterday. I hope you like it!
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- My Thanksgiving… You. (ryansrally.org)
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This video was awesome! who knew ham juice was so good! Still here,still praying!
Ken – thank you so much for sharing the videos with us. It is so fantastic to see Ryan reacting to so much stimuli. I watched the feet tickling video and was so happy to see him get so much voluntary leg movement from something so simple : ) Hope your Thanksgiving was great!
Ryan looked good and I could tell he was appreciating the food. He is making progress and we continue our prayers for God to help him.
Thank you so very much for sharing that special footage…the interaction between Kari and Ryan, as well as your entire family, is so incredibly moving and beautiful for those of us fortunate enough to witness it.
With love and in prayer always,
Keri, My Frankie and Family
Loved the video! Thank you so much for giving us another glimpse into Ryan’s life.
I watched the video several times today, I have to say thank you for sharing these special times with us. It does my heart good to see Ryan and hear about him every day – it’s been a treat to see him two days in a row. You are truly a special loving family and it’s great to see the reaction he has to some of his favorite things. I think one of those favorite things is his sister, and she’s so attentive to him, it was great to see. Thank you, thank you, thank you. Hope you all had a great Thanksgiving. Love to all of you.
To quote my Natalie, “This made me happiful!”
Thank you for sharing with us! Sue, did you sneak any cherry juice in to the ham juice? 🙂
Love, carla
Two thumbs up for Ryan and for Sue’s cooking! Everything about this family video is so awesome — thank you for inviting us into your home for a taste of true Thanksgiving. And who doesn’t like brown sugar? Love you, Divineys!
Wow. That video was so powerful. It’s so obvious Ryan is aware of what’s going on around him. It is so kind of you to share such a special time with everyone here. Thank you Ken, Sue, and Kari.
I really like this video, you can really tell how much Ryan loves his sister, he stares so intently at Kari. Hope your family had the best day possible and also enjoyed that WVU game, that was awesome!
Ken….thank you so much for this <3
Love & prayers, hope — Paula
Thanks for sharing, a few things I noticed! Looked like Duke was pretty close to the food plate, saw his head pop up, guess he was waiting for the leftovers from Ryan. he better watch out or he will be the subject of another “Duke caught redhanded” video. Also, I remember when I took Jon up to Mo’town to the house the boys rented and Ryan had a HUGE Redskins flag hanging on the wall before Brian, Jonny or Derris arrived. I mentioned something to him about there were two Ravens fans in the group and wondered why the Redskins flag was front and center. I see the entire room on the video is dedicated to the Redskins, also the drapes reflected in the mirror look awesome, although I wish they were Ravens. Ryan looks great. AND…How about that Mountaineer win last night Ryan and Kari wasn’t that awesome!
Kari~ You are such a loved sister and daughter! The adoration you and Ryan share is beautiful:) Ken, thank you so much for sharing this video, it added a wonderful scope to the meaning of Thanksgiving. Sue, clearly your cooking was delicious! Much love to all of you!
I forgot to mention Kari~ What a pro you are with your brother! I am so he so appreciates your attention, and knowledge on how to take care of him. You are a trooper!
Ken A great video and it sure looks like Ryan is enjoying ,He really looks so strong and healthy and handsome ..Thanks again for sharing .Maybe he’ll eat even more for Christmas. What a job you are all doing. Love Gail
Wonderful! I know I will watch this at least 10 times today. This is almost as good as being there! I have to go and rake some leaves, Folks, but I’ll be back! Thank you so much, Ken, Sue, Ryan and Kari. This is so special and so are you! Love
Ryan looks wonderful and very healthy! I just know he so enjoyed the familiar tastes of thanksgiving and he seemed so engaged in what was going on within his ability to do so.
Another great testimonial video of family love.
Wonderful video! It appears that the ham juice was a big hit! Thanks for sharing this with us.