For those new to this website, like all our Oprah fans, I should tell you that last month I was invited to Duke University. They held a three-day conference called “Finding Consciousness” and asked that I take part on one of the panels; caretakers and advocates. This conference was packed with the pioneers in brain research.
Now, I’m not fooling myself, I was probably invited almost as an afterthought. Maybe even as a person who could fill time? It didn’t matter. Duke University treated me like a VIP! I wanted to make their decision to include me worthwhile. I owed it to them to shine.
That, I did.
Enough bragging about myself (which I never really tire of) and I’ll get to the point. Wired Magazine was on-hand the entire time. Wired is dominant source for science and technology coverage. I know this because I’m a bit of a techie and science nerd. Getting notice by them is a big deal because of the audience it draws. Duke University’s conference is an example of how selective Wired is.
“Gentle and articulate, Diviney visibly wears the weight of his responsibility to his son. “I have a purpose,” he said. “Damned be that purpose, but I have it.” ~ Wired
Thinking back, I’d estimate their were probable twenty speakers or more in total. My turn to speak was roughly 2/3 through the event, closing out the second day. Anyhow, I was both delighted and honored that Wired felt what I had to say was one of the few segments it featured in its article. I was thinking I did something noteworthy that they used mine to wrap-up the article but think they were just writing it as it was presented. No matter, it fit perfectly and was the hook that tied it all together.
The article, Is Anybody in There? Searching for Consciousness in an Injured Brain, is excellent! Damned excellent! It’s written for the non-expert to understand and appreciate. It tells how science is showing that those with brain injury, no matter the severity, might be more aware than people imagined.
Great article. It is great that the writer gave you the recognition you deserve, not many have done what you and Sue have done. I also hope this brings more attention to this website.
This is just wonderful!!! I love that the writer of the article took the time to listen to your story and get it out there for people to see. For those who don’t know you, it will lead them to your blog where they will see just what you and your family do/go through every day as a result of the senseless violence thrust upon Ryan. The article was fantastic, but the comments section made my skin crawl. People are so flipping cruel. As a pro-life advocate I cannot fathom treating someone like a number. Guarantee you this….they wouldn’t say half the things they say if the shoe were on the other foot. God Bless you Diviney family. Love, carla
AWESOME, Ken, just AWESOME. Words fail me just now, but i’m sure i mirror the feelings expressed by all those who have written here. God bless dear Warrior and Team Diviney, love, Annie
This is amazing and you are incredible. I am so glad you went and I am so happy you are sharing with us. Duke University should give you an intern. Can you imagine if you had a full time research assistant? Can you imagine what a student in this field could learn from you and Ryan? We all know you already have made progress in this area with your efforts and insight. Praying every day and so hopeful for continued progress. I also would love to share some info with you regarding lunasin. http://www.lunasin.com. It is a soy peptide that is having remarkable results. Tons of research is being done by over 200 agencies, etc. It involves the study of nutrition at a higher level, epigenetics, http://www.reliv.com/US/EN/lunasin-and-epigenetics.html Results are remarkable and promising. You will understand this better than I ever will. It is about DNA and what it takes to turn certain genes on and off. Promising areas include heart health and cholesterol, cellular inflammation, skin, overall cellular health which is promising for cancer research. All I know is what I see every day in the health of our family and others. Maybe this can help Ryan? I would love to connect you to someone that understands this better than I. God Bless the Diviney family.
you are one of the most resourceful, self-educated, incredibly intelligent dudes out there! Congrats on this honor!
“Gentle and articulate” is an accurate way to describe how you and Sue both relate to Ryan, in addition to tenacious and effective. Way to keep him relevant in the academic-medical community, Ken! I’m curious to know now if Ryan has had a functional MRI recently.
You is kind, you is smart, you is important (The Help), and don’t we know it! You lead, and we will follow wherever Ryan takes us. I know you will find consciousness in Ryan. It is there!
Prayers continue with love.
And the “kind” part is the best of all! <3
Ken thank you so much for sharing this article. I work as a nurse with adults who live in community group homes, many of whom suffer from TBI. Even though many of them are able to function well with assistance, it is absolutely maddening to see how their very own physicians disregard them and often do not even want to order the simplest of tests when they are sick or experiencing any kind of medical issue. I count it a privilege to advocate for them and stand up for their “rights”. I am so excited about the research in the article, and will share with all my wonderful nursing colleagues, as well as some families I know who are caring for brain injured children. Ryan is so blessed to have you and Sue, keep up the fight for him and so many others who need a voice.
Congratulations, Ken!! A clink of the crystal glasses and a toast to you!! The more you share your knowledge and experience, the more those who study or who are affected by TBI will benefit. Bravo to our favorite polymath, you are making a big difference in the lives of many people!!
“Most of the things worth doing in the world had been declared impossible before they were done.”
Louis D. Brandeis
Nicely done!
Awesome ,wonderful,great !!!!!
That is so cool! And you do have a lot to share, you know it (I know it). When he was first injured you didn’t have an advocate come to you and say okay, set up your house this way, get this list of equipment, do this first, run his day like this, do these exercises, feed him this or that. They taught you basics, bodily fluid and defecation methods, how to clean his trech and feeding tube and how to hoyer lift him. The rest was up to you to learn.
It is tough but you figured it out and I bet it’s like a weird dance to you now. That is what I call it. Everyone knows their part and we move around each other doing what is needed to be done. At first it took hours to even get the man to bed but now can be done in 15 minutes. Morning routines use to take 4 hours!
You have A LOT to offer people and that is why this page is amazing not only for Ryan but for you as well. I am amazed that you have kept his muscle tone so well. One day he will thank you for that!
🙂
Ken ,Not suprised to hear you were written about in Wired .Your input
must have bought people at the conference to really think about what you said .
No one knows as well as you..You’re living it and searching all you can and then more!
Hoping things go well with finding a place
Love to you all . Big hug for Ryan our guy~!
Awesome!
Wow!! Congrats, Ken!