by Joseph Gabro
I Was Invincible!
I’ve been meaning to contact you for a while now and have finally been able to sit down and structure my thoughts into cohesive sentences. You wouldn’t believe how much you, your family, and Ryan helped me through a tough time in my life and it’s only fair to properly thank you for that. However, before I continue, let me share a little about myself.
Joseph fell 17 feet when the balcony railing gave way.
My name is Joseph Gabro. I am 20 years old and currently attending James Madison University. Even though I went to the same high school as your son, I never had the opportunity to meet Ryan. Boy, do I really wish I had…
I wasn’t a good kid in high school. I mean, I wasn’t bad, either. I was just blinded by my immaturity and took things too far on occasion. I lived to make my peers laugh, even if it meant a cheap chuckle at the expense of others at times.
I had the reputation of a class-clown to most of the departments at Broad Run. Teachers constantly called my parents to inform them of the new inappropriate stunt I pulled in class that day. This continued all throughout high school and I loved every bit of attention it gave me.
I was cool. I was hilarious. I was invincible!
Then I Heard about Ryan’s Accident.
It hit me hard. Really hard. It was almost like I had just lost a best friend when in actuality I had no personal connection to Ryan whatsoever. I was so compelled and determined to try and keep track of his daily progress as often as possible. I prayed just about every night for his well-being and would constantly think about him and your family throughout the day. When your website launched, I began religiously checking to see whenever you posted a new blog post. I would read the numerous comments and stories people posted about all the amazing qualities Ryan had and began to realize how much of a better man he was than me.
What if that were me? Would people post how immature and childish I was? Would that one girl share the story of how I made a joke about her in the lunch line just to get a laugh from my friends? Would I not be cared about?
At this point in my life I began to realize what I had to do. I completely changed my attitude and behavior in an attempt to almost live like Ryan did. I should’ve known that wasn’t going to last. I mean hell, college was around the corner and I was going to have the freedom to do whatever I want! Woo Hoo!
Fast Forward
Let’s fast forward to September 23, 2012.
A month of my freshman year had been wasted. I was drinking like a sailor, skipping classes, and back to my immature self. I was getting tired of the same environment so I decided to catch a ride down to Charlottesville to visit my friend for the weekend. I immediately got along with all his new friends and we were about to have a night to remember. Or so I thought…
I fell 17 feet off of a fraternity balcony that night and found myself in critical condition.
I guess I wasn’t cool. I guess I wasn’t hilarious. And I damn sure KNOW I wasn’t invincible.
Two hurt in railing collapse at UVA
I don’t remember anything and am not surprised. My injuries consisted as follows: a subdural, subarachnoid, and epidural hematoma, a fractured skull, broken orbital bone, 3 broken ribs, and a broken clavicle. I was unconscious when the paramedics arrived and barely hanging onto life. My parents got that dreaded phone call at around four in the morning and hurried to be by my side.
They informed my parents that I needed immediate surgery and that, even if done properly, was still at a high risk for never fully recovering. Open brain surgery went smoothly and I miraculously woke up from my coma 2 days later. Doctors then said it could possibly take weeks or months before I could walk properly and, again, I somehow defeated the odds and was up and about 4 days later.
In all, I was only hospitalized for 12 days. I don’t remember much from the hospital, either (probably because of the plethora of drugs administered into my blood), but reality set in when I arrived back home. I didn’t really understand how severe my injury was until I saw all the news reports and Facebook posts wishing me well. There were even hundreds of people I didn’t know messaging me with kind words. I guess people DID care about me. It’s a shame I ignored their kindness.
As doctors predicted, the traumatic brain injury I suffered altered my mood and feelings unbelievably. I soon sunk into depression fairly quick. I felt worthless. I stopped reading messages I received and would delete texts from friends concerned about me. I didn’t want to be alive. It’s hard when you’re having fun at college and then BAM all of a sudden you’re eating painkillers and going through therapy rehabilitation as a daily routine. Although I physically recovered extremely quickly, my depression was only getting worse.
I would wake up every morning and just look into the mirror. I didn’t know the person I was looking at. I would run my finger down the scar across my head multiple times as if to make my accident tangible in a way. I hated it. I wasn’t physically in pain any longer but I would still refill my painkillers in an attempt to heal the pain emotionally. Nothing worked. I was only becoming worse. But then something caught my attention.
It Hit Me All Over Again
I began to finally read messages I received a few weeks ago from strangers and friends alike. I came across a tweet that your daughter, Kari, made asking people to pray for the recovery of my friend and I. Then it hit me all over again. I had stopped following the progress of Ryan. I had stopped praying. And there [your daughter and Ryan’s sister] Kari was, humbly wishing and praying for MY well-being.
And what was I doing? Getting high off painkillers, hating life, and not realizing how lucky I was to be alive. I had officially hit rock bottom.
I immediately checked your website that day and began to catch myself up with where I last left off so long ago. I must’ve read 50 or so blog posts that day. Your words are infectious and I could feel the emotions pouring out through each post. They spoke to me and comforted me in a way. You taught me life lessons that day without even knowing it this whole time.
That day I asked myself, “What if I our injuries were reversed? What if I was in Ryan’s situation and he was in mine?” Well, judging from the beautiful things I’ve read about him from you and his peers, I knew for a fact that he wouldn’t be acting the way I was. It was from that day forward that I completely changed my life with Ryan’s strength and your relentlessness motivating me through the way.
A Life Changed
Currently, I’m back at James Madison University and maintaining a 3.6 GPA. Changing my attitude and being kind to others at all times has led me to have a much happier life than I can ever remember having (besides being a little kid running around outside with no worries on my mind, of course). I wouldn’t be the man I am today if it weren’t for your indirect guidance through the articles on your website.
I look at myself in the mirror today and know exactly who I am and where I’m heading. Hell, I even like the look of the scar running down my scalp now! It’s truly amazing how much influence someone like you and Ryan have had on my life when I’ve never even met the both of you.
Sorry for making this so long, I just really want you to understand how much Ryan and your family has helped me recover from my injury. I’m a new man with new goals in life headed in the right direction.
Please let Ryan know that he helped save a stranger’s life by being the most strong-willed person I’ve ever seen.
And, of course, thank you for showing the courage and determination in your son’s battle to help me with mine.
Thank you, Ken
Thank you, Ryan
Thank you, Kari
Thank you, Sue
I’ll continue praying and hoping for the best because he deserves it more than anyone.
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This post is absolutely beautiful. It is remarkable to me how much I can relate to your posting. I, too, have a friend in a coma. She was hit by a car in a car-to-body hit-and-run accident 18 June 2011, and has been in a coma since then. We met our third year of college, but really did not become friends until the summer after our graduation, as we bonded over our love for Jesus. So it has really been difficult for me to see someone so gentle and humble suffer for so long, considering her peaceful spirit. Having the opportunity to see her in such a state shocked me beyond belief. Her (and her family’s) pain and suffering has literally made me pray for them daily, and has motivated me to work to be the best person I can be. I do not have any excuse not to do better today than I did yesterday considering I have the ability to live and be whole, unlike my friend at the moment.
I pray you see the beauty in the message you just provided the world, Joseph. I also pray that people truly understand the blessings and value to be able to live freely, age in a sound mind, and have the ability to have functioning limbs.
Blessings to you. xo
I read this with tears in my eyes. I can only imagine how much this post meant to Ryan’s family, Joe.. God Bless you for taking the time to let Ryan’s family know what a difference their Ryan is STILL making! Prayers for all of you.
Wonderful post!!
Signed and shared and prayer for you and your family! I will continue to pray that they keep him in prisin! wish you all luck!
“i stopped praying” Are you listening?
I began to finally read messages I received a few weeks ago from strangers and friends alike. I came across a tweet that your daughter, Kari, made asking people to pray for the recovery of my friend and I. Then it hit me all over again. I had stopped following the progress of Ryan. I had stopped praying. And there [your daughter and Ryan’s sister] Kari was, humbly wishing and praying.
Speechless
WOW! POWERFUL post, Joseph, beautifully expressed. I, too, am at a loss for words. Team Diviney is love beyond anything i could ever have imagined, and i am completely humbled by the way they care for Ryan. Ryan will ALWAYS remain revelant–he is family to me. Prayers and love always, Annie
I am completely at a loss for words. What an amazing testament to the Power of the Divine Diviney’s”. Loved loved this.
Joseph, thank you for sharing this story with all of us. You a courageous young man. I and many others I know have long-believed that Ryan’s story is bigger than all of us. Your situation is living proof that it is. God Bless You!
Amazing !!!!! Ryan has truly become and inspiration to people around the country. I always knew Ryan would take the world on and even with his injuries he is still doing it. Praying everyday for you Ryan. And praying for you joe everyday that you continue with your moral change and continue your wonderful education at jmu!!!! God bless!!!! And believe!!!!
Thanks for sharing Ken. Wow! Joe, I applaud your transparency. Wishing you continued success at JMU! God Bless!
What a great story! Thanks for sharing.
Joseph,
Your honesty and change of attitude warmed my heart in a way you will never know. Those of us who know and love the Divineys cherish the strength that the whole family gives to others. Ken has the strength of 20 men, in all ways that count. Sue is the warm heart that holds the family together. Kari is the sweetest, most compassionate young woman you could meet. Her beauty and infectious laugh draws everyone to her. I am crying as I describe Ryan. Such a beautiful young man, handsome, strong, loving and funny. Even in the condition that he is currently in he shows all these attributes. God, how I love this family! I am so happy that you are healing and have decided on a more positive way to live. Thank you for sharing your story. You too can have the impact on people that Ryan does. Please continue to share your story and the Divineys role in helping you. That will help keep Ryan relevant. If anyone is worth it isn’t he? Much Love~
Joseph, thank you! You, Ryan and Kari are destined to help change the lives of many other people! I am keeping you in my thoughts and prayers, trusting in God to continue revealing great things for you. Your story of how Ryan and his family have helped you get through difficult times will resonate with many people, including me. Powerful stuff and there’s more to come. God bless you, Joe, and I hope you will write again!!
A great post Joseph, and thanks so much for sharing and glad you’re doing so well.
Ryan’s story and his parents, sister and of course Ryan’s dedication and determination
is not only reaching near ,but far too.
Wow! Ryan ,Can’t wait for you to read all the ways you’ve helped and inspired people
love to all
Joseph, the following was posted on Facebook by supporter, Patrice Rherig, and thought you might like it:
Thought for the Day: “God has placed before you amazing opportunities. Many times, those opportunities go unrecognized. Walk the path that God has asked you to and take advantage of the doors that He has opened for you. They will lead you to places full of abundance that you would have never imagined.” I hope you h…ave a fantastic day today my friends! – Elmer Laydon
Ken, thanks for sharing Joseph’s story. So good to know he is on the right path now. 🙂
That inihgst would have saved us a lot of effort early on.
Wow. Joe, I never taught you but I’m friends with folks who did. Your recovery and comeback are remarkable. What a beautifully written post. Well done!
Joseph, thank you for sharing your story. I am so sorry for your injuries, both physical and mental, but you are now, undoubtedly, on your way to success in whatever you seek to accomplish (teaching perhaps?). I am so glad that you believe in prayer. You are running with the right bunch right here on Ryan’s Rally, and we believe in miracles, so keep up the good work. I will pray for you, too, Joseph. It would be a good idea to stop by Ken’s and Ryan’s office in Ashburn and meet them.
Kari, thank you for always keeping Ryan relevant. It looks as if you might have saved a life — Joseph’s.
Ken and family, I hope you had a All-American grillin’ good time on the 4th. I really liked your post, Ken, and am in total agreement. Thoughts always, love and prayers.
Wow. There you go, continuing to touch and inspire so many lives, Divineys. They truly embody the spirit of love, kindness and generosity, don’t they, Joseph? And thank you for having the courage to share your story with them and all of Team Diviney. The same God who loves and healed you is loving and healing Ryan, our conquering hero.
Another post that made me cry, yet uplifted me at the same time.
Humbling and inspiring. Thank you for your openness and sincerity. I’ll bet you’ll be an influence on more people than you know from now on 🙂
JoAnn, I will bug him about this, but we are pretty booked with the move, our trip to Mexico, finishing up our homchesool, and getting ready for the holidays! It is a great project, I just hope we can get to it before Jeremy and Blake lose interest!