Ryan’s routine is fairly consistent. He works hard all morning on his therapies. In the afternoon he gets down time. This is an hour or two when the shades are drawn and I quiet the house. Actually, as far as I’m concerned, this is part of his therapies. It’s time to rest. He was always a fan of the afternoon nap and I love that this is built into his routine. I take advantage of this time to do research, clean, and handle any other matters. For both of us, it is a valuable part of the day.
So, imagine my surprise when I see the IBRF team walking down the sidewalk to the patio! Was it possible I completely forgot they were coming yesterday? That’s not like me to not be on top of such things. I took a quick glance at the rather large whiteboard we have where I jot down appointments (and a hundred other things too). I’m showing they are coming two days later on Wednesday.
Even before they get to the door — a matter of seconds — I’m trying to figure out what day it is. It wouldn’t be the first time I thought it was a Monday and it wound up being another day. That’s what happens when you live in the moment. I quickly draw on my best frame of reference… the NFL. During the football season I use it to mark time and reset my mental weekly calendar.
As they come in the house they can see I’m clearly not expecting them. Neither was Sue. She was in New York City on business.
Turns out the mix up was at their end.
It didn’t matter, they were here and I wanted to go forward with the assessment. My only concern was that Ryan would be thrown off his schedule. Even more, he will likely be sleepy since he has come to expect a break at that time. I’m immediately concerned that he will not perform well.
I won’t know for a few weeks, but I think Ryan did a nice job. In fact, the neurologist actually said “I’ve convinced myself that Ryan is voluntarily responding, at least occasionally, on command”.
I’m sure I looked silly picking my jaw up off the floor.
My wife, Sue, wouldn’t be surprised to hear this. She’s been telling me Ryan is “more with it” lately. Let’s not forget the Dallas Face video, she would remind me. To her, not only was Ryan vocalizing, but he was making a disgusted facial reaction.
As for me, I wasn’t convinced. Even with the neurologist saying so, I’m still not entirely. What I am is encouraged that it might be happening. The possibility is there! Then, like so many times before, it was my daughter, Kari, that brought clarity in a text message. I’m telling you, she has a “high-speed” mind. I’ve told her this for years. She hears something and is immediately five steps ahead in analyzing it. When she tells me something I know better than not to listen to her. Her intuition is something to behold. I’ll use yesterday’s text message to show you this. She nailed it in a matter of seconds, where it would have taken me hours:
Me: IBRF was here. The neurologist said that he has convinced himself that Ryan is voluntarily responding to commands!
Kari: What!!!???
Kari: Daddy!!!
Me: That’s encouraging news!
Kari: Wow!
And then the one statement that made it all real to me because it is so true.
Kari: That’s bold… so that means he must truly believe it. Doctors never say that stuff.
Bam! Done… and done again! Such wisdom…
I was flattered that the neurologist also took notice of Ryan’s muscle mass and tone. He asked me, flat-out, what I do to keep to him this flexible. I simply tell him that I work with him non-stop. That so many caring people have brought him this far by providing for his treatment, health, and comfort. He further compliments me (us) on his health; the condition of his skin, nail, and hair. It makes me feel proud that, through me, we are all doing right by my son. Hey, I know we all are, but it’s always nice when other people notice. Still, it is Ryan who does the work and I quickly deflect the praise to him (I hope you don’t mind).
All the while, I ‘m watching the female technician who is running the qEEG. She’s not aware I’m doing it. I can see that she admires my son. That genuine look is easy spot. Then she confirms it by leaning over a giving him a hug, pressing her cheek against him. It’s almost magical how Ryan’s essence reaches out and touches good people like that. A mystical connection. It happens far too often to not recognize it as his powerful presence taking control of the room… like it always has.
Some things never change.
A Goodie to Leave You With
I added a Store to Ryan’s Rally. Although 100% functional (I hope), for now it’s in a very rudimentary form as I check all the components and prepare to take Ryan’s Rally LLC to the next level. One specific product, Hello, Ryan!, a song written and composed by artist Tim Williamson for Ryan is worth taking a listen. It’s available for sale as an mp3 download if you want to put it in your music library, but you can listen to it for free (as often as you want) in the store.
Such exciting news! From the Dallas Face video, it’s obvious that he is aware as to his surroundings and conversations with his loved ones. I think there is reason to never lose hope, with such a strong man never giving up and his loving family and support system backing him. 🙂
I saw it in those last videos!!!! Great news 🙂
I saw it in those last videos!!!! Great news 🙂
I saw it in those last videos!!!! Great news 🙂
I saw it in those last videos!!!! Great news 🙂
I saw it in those last videos!!!! Great news 🙂
I saw it in those last videos!!!! Great news 🙂
So sweet.
Love hearing the great news….sending our prayers….
your strength is so inspiring. still here and still praying for all of you.
Great news!! I’m always amazed, but never surprised at Gods goodness! You are all such a blessing to Ryan and an inspiration to us all!! We love Ryan!!!!
Wow! That’s huge. I’m so happy for you guys. I ‘joined’ Team Diviney about six months ago and having been checking in on a daily basis. Every time I see your family picture, I pray for you all! Your strength and devotion to Ryan is so obvious.
So excited for you all! Our God is an awesome God:)
Ken, every time I read one of your posts, I think, “wow, this is the best post ever!!” And then, I open up your blog, and there is yet another post that is so well written, the scenario you’re describing flows like a movie projector. I could see the doctors coming down the steps, you being caught by surprise as your mind shifts into high gear reviewing all the possibilities. And at the top of your list, “I hope Ryan will do okay because this is his quiet time of day.” Always your primary concern, your hope for and belief in Ryan.
And then you hear the words you’ve been waiting to hear for over three years, definitively spoken by an expert in the field of traumatic brain injury, “I have convinced myself your son is making voluntary responses.” Something so wonderous, so exciting, that you can hardly believe it — after all this time, and all this work, and the ups and the downs — you hear something that almost seems impossible, and yet as Kari confirmed, it is absolutely true. Ryan not only hears very well — he can also make sense of what he’s hearing, and, he has feelings about what he’s hearing (the now infamous “Dallas face,” which I cannot stop watching).
After all this time … the various components of your therapy program have resulted in what many once deemed impossible. You, Sue and Kari refused to give up; you said, “We got this,” and you meant it. We now know unequivically that Ryan is continuing to recover. I look forward to the day when Ryan’s brain heals such that you’re finally able to hear the words he’s been trying to say for so long. “Dad, I love you.” The rejoicing from Team Diviney will be deafening. I will kneel before the Lord in gratitude.
Ken, thank you for letting us be a part of your lives. We are so very grateful.
Great news! I love the Dallas Face.
Ken, Wonderful news and sharing all said above ,Coudn’t say it any better
Love Gail
What fantastic news Ken, Ryan and family. So so happy for you all.
Echoing all of the comments above…. The doctor’s comment doesn’t surprise me in the least! We’ve been seeing it, Ken!!!! Remember that night when Sue put the baseball cap on Ryan and then put the baseball in one hand and his glove on the other? Remember when she told Ryan to throw the guy out at first? We saw his arm move, we saw him grasp that ball tighter! We’ve also seen him respond to voices, especially that of the young ladies! 😀
I’m so glad you’re allowing yourself to be happy and enjoying the moment. You deserve it. You’ve worked hard, and it’s clearly obvious Ryan has too. Like Rita said, Praise God From Whom All Blessings Flow! Great prayer by the way….think I’ll go give Him some Glory for this special blessing!
Love,
carla
Great news on Ryan! Pray for your family daily.
Ken, I know he responds voluntarily! Everytime I bring Morgan over, he turns his head directly towards her and starts communicating. Sue has also noticed it with him. You all are so loved!
Such encouraging news! I am so sure more will come.
Great news, Ken!! Very happy to read this post.
That is great news, your family is such an inspiration to me
Praise God, from Whom all good things flow! So happy for your family to get this wonderful confirmation of Ryan’s ongoing recovery — you got this, indeed… all the way to victory, because Ryan is more than a conqueror! Thank you for sharing such good news with us, Ken.
Ken this is just amazing. And I get goosebumps when I type the word Amazing. What you have done, what you mean to Ryan and your family, what you mean to all of us by sharing your journey with us. Just Amazing.
Can you remind us when your big meeting/panel discussion is? I cannot wait to hear about it (I hope I have not missed it!).
January 23 – 25 at Duke University.
Ken, I have been saying he is responding for a long time. When I read this post to Courtney and her nurse. Her nurse said ” You have been saying that about Ryan for a while.” Indeed we all believe in Ryan and your ability to take him on this journey to a full recovery. I am so glad that the doctor confirmed what we all believe. I know first hand how hard this is, I have my moments all the time. But I also know Courtney and as soon as she can comprehend what has happened to her. I think she will be mad as H*** and that is when she will kick it into high gear. I feel the same way about Ryan. Just going with my gut here, I don’t in any way know as much as doctors or you for that matter. But just like you, I know my child. I am so happy for Ryan and your family. I know he is going to do wonderful things in his life. Much Love Becky and Courtney
:’)
It isindeed a mystical connection — vibration, if you will — eerily so! I felt it that day back on Dec. 4th, 2009 when I first saw Ryan’s story on NBC Washington news. I am here every day, sometimes every hour, since then. When we met Ryan many months ago, I felt this unbelievable strong pull. Oh, yes! He’s aware all right! And this is really revealed in the videos as he responds to Kari.
I am so glad the IBRF told you this. Makes my day. Thank you for sharing with us. Love, prayers and thanksgiving.
I agree with Kari. Doctors generally do not give out good news in the unknown. They want to avoid false hope. So, for him to say that–especially a neurologist specifically working with TBI patients–that’s huge! Enjoy this, for you, for Ryan, for your family. Go Team Diviney!
Tears of complete joy overwhelm me!
Awesome, Awesome News!! I loved the Dallas face. You are doing an awesome job with Ryan and I’m happy for you that people are taking notice. Yes Ryan works hard every day, but he couldn’t do it without you. Best way to start the New Year!! Love hearing these stories from you.
Please share this good news with your friends on FaceBook!