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"I tell him I tried. I tried to keep memory alive; I tried to fight those who would forget. Neutrality helps the oppressor, never the victim. Silence encourages the tormentor, never the tormented. There is so much injustice & suffering crying out for our attention. We must take sides. We must interfere. -E.W.

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Ryan Does Something New

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Something different happened with Ryan on Saturday night.

As you probably know, his eyelids are mostly sutured shut (called a tarsorrhaphy). Each has a small opening on the nasal side… just enough to see out. He had to have this done to protect his eyes from drying out, which was causing infections. He ran the real risk that his eyes would “melt” and they would need removed without this remedy.

Ryan Diviney Tarsorrhaphy Repeated

Ryan after having his eyelids sewn mostly shut.

It is not uncommon for Ryan to bring his right eye down enough so that his pupil is visible. As for the left one, well, no one has seen it in the years since the tarsorrhaphy procedure was performed. Prior to that surgery his left eye never centered, let alone go completely down. Even when his right eye would, the left would never achieve symmetry.

I didn’t see it happen (dammit!), but my wife and the nurse sure did. Ryan brought his left eye down.

They could clearly see the pupil!

Now, I’m not sure what this means. Who knows if it has any significance at all? Still, this has never happened. EVER. It’s difficult not to interpret this as encouraging, but the hope is that it will happen again with frequency.

Then I’ll be convinced that it’s a sign of continued recovery.

Comments

  2. I loVe seeing all your post with Ryan and I’m so blessed you guys got such great news! Go Ryan!!

  6. Ryan, your family are very strong people. They do so many wonderful, loving things for you. But, God is even mightier. He can cause things to happen that NO ONE can even imagine. I pray that he touch your brain and heal in such a way that there is no explanation. Please know that people all over the world care about you.

  11. Watching WVU basketball, fun back and forth game with TCU, halftime now. WOW, this post is running a close second in comments. Why???? Because Ryan is Relevant! Go EERS, Go Ryan! Always thinking of you.

  12. Amazing You will know more than the doctors do. I hope he does it over and over. How exciting !!!!!!

  13. WE CARE!!! I care and don’t know any of you personally but I pray for you and look forward to your posts.

  14. I’ve been following his story for a long time and I am so happy to hear this! I hope good progress continues. No doubt all of this is happening due to how wonderfully cared for he is by you. God bless!

  20. I have been praying for a miracle for Ryan! This increases my faith and gives me even more hope!

  26. Praying for continued progress. May God continue to bless your family.

  40. My hopes and prayers are with you, and this is a sign of hope. We don’t know everything about how the brain works and heals, but the way your family has never given up on Ryan, has to register with him on some level! I follow every post about Ryan, and am amazed at your dedication and strength as a family!

  42. MIRACLES CAN HAPPEN AND DO! I have no idea why but my heart really believes Ryan is going to improve.

  43. Great news! ! Ryan is always relevant! ! May he continue to do little things each and every day! ! Prayers for your entire family.

  48. The very reason we as parents NEVER give up on our children….prayers for continued progress….pulling for Ryan and the whole family

  54. I’ve been missing his/your posts, but I got this one!!!!!!! Oh happy day!!!!! 😀
    Great job Ryan, keep up the awesome work! You have the whole world standing behind you in your recovery…. We love u!

  56. Pulling for this guy just read about a guy in a comma for twelve years and woke up I see this happening with Ryan prayers!

  62. I certainly hope that as you the dad was able to get to see it this time.. I know you were wanting to see it last time.. Were you???

  64. Woohoo Ryan!! When days turn in to weeks and years of the same progress. One small thing can bring such hope! Praying for all of you.

  66. That’s is such wonderful news! Always praying for Ryan and his wonderful family.

  67. I second that! Ryan, and all of you are always in our thoughts and prayers, life is crazy but wonderful and I find is best when we all stick together and root each other on! Happy Friday and God bless.

  71. Just found out about Ryan for the first time. His attackers confirm my worst fears about humanity, while his family members bolster my hopes for the same.

  72. I got chills reading this post! Yayyyy Ryan! Have been praying so hard, I just know he is working his way back to you!

    SHSP, NGA!!!!

    Carla & family

  82. Still relevant!!! Go Ryan! Here’s to a new year of healing and happiness.

    • That is the most haunting story I have read in years. His photo is amazing. See Ken there is hope, Ryan is still in there, I believe he is, keep him working his body so he is buff when he returns, he will thank you!

      Hi Ryan, keep fighting, tell them you are there, show them you are there, you can heal yourself. Can’t wait to meet you Ryan!

  85. Been thinking about ya’ll today and I just opened my email and wwwhhhhoooorrrrraaayyyy a positive eye movement, I will take it and know that this is part of the miracle as Ryan fights to come back to us!! Thank you for the time and talent you have staying on top of Ryans condition, I do wish you would have seen it but I am sure glad Sue did 😉

  90. Ken, I so admire the positive vibes I always get from reading these blogs! You are an amazing father. Never forget that miracles still happen every day. Most of us are just too busy to see them. The fact that your wife and nurse saw it is awesome! I will keep praying for Ryan and for your family.

  94. Awesome! Every little thing is something! Continued prayers for Ryan and the entire family!♡♡♡

  96. Awesome update. I do miss hearing updates on Ryan! Hope this happens again really soon and you can identify if it has a meaning behind it! Hugs to you all!

  97. Always have Ryan in my thoughts & prayers! I just know one day Ryan will fully awake:) Your love will bring him back to you!! Never think anything different!!!

  100. AWESOME, shivers down my spine. SHSP NGA Prayers and love always for my Team Diviney! Thank you, Lord. RYAN, RYAN, RYAN !!! YES!

  104. I think it’s fantastic! I have been following Ryan’s story for a long time now. First time commenting. I start to write, but am not satisfied as I just can’t find the words to express my feelings properly. I think you are an amazing family! Simply amazing. I am so sorry that this has happened to all of you.

  106. “Little things don’t mean a lot, they mean EVERYTHING”! So glad to hear this! Remain optimistic!!

  111. Encourage this response by shining a penlight at Ryan’s nose in a darkened room while covering his right eye. If he tracks it, then build up to multiple times a day. Alternate eyes separately and both eyes together. You might need to start with a stronger light than a penlight. Best of luck!

  112. This is great.made me smile.I’m always looking forward to updates and this one is great.keeping Ryan and the family in my prayers.

  115. That you God for touching Ryan. I pray for Ryan. I’m a supporter I have been from the time this has happened. Don’t give up on God. He can heal him today the same as he did back then. Will continue praying May God comfort your family.

  116. This is AMAZING! More and more progress everyday! This is definitely a good sign! Thank you so much for sharing this with us! God bless. Sending tons of prayers and love!

  123. Ken…Corey had eye problems, one pupil was oval and one round…they changed all the time as he started recovering. Just thought I might let you know since Doctors don’t really know from one TBI survivor to another what each will do or what it might mean. Sounds encouraging. Could they open his eyes up a little at a time? Could he wear some sort of tinted glasses so the light will not hurt his eyes. for a long time Corey wanted to wear sun glasses because the light hurt his eyes. He wore them to watch TV. ??? Sorry I get excited…and my mind goes all over the place…Wish I were closer. I wish I could visit you with Corey.

    • I just wanted to say that I have very dry eyes due to Sjogrens Syndrome, diabetes and Graves disease. I’ve had my tear ducts plugged and cauterized, was on Restasis for over a year, and use drops and ointments every day and night. I had to stop wearing my contacts about 5 years ago coincidentally and I don’t like wearing glasses. I’ve had to start taping my right eye shut at night to combat the dryness since that eye doesn’t close tight anymore when I sleep. My eyes hurt and feel gritty and my right one is is getting so dry it’s affecting my vision. I just scheduled surgery in a few weeks to have the eyelids reconstructed and also cauterize the tear duct that won’t hold a plug plus have a cyst removed. I was told that I’ll have to have my eye shown shut for about 3 weeks and I can’t drive or do much of anything for 2 – 3 weeks so the lids will heal and they don’t come unsewn or I have to have it redone. I wasn’t too happy about having that eye sown shut for that long. When I tape it at night I don’t always fall asleep right away and it annoys me so much trying to focus with one eye. Of course I complained to a few friends and relatives. After reading that both of Ryan’s eyes are and have been sown shut for so long I thank God that mine will only be one eye for 3 weeks. I can’t imagine Ryan trying to see out of a small corner of his eyes. I pray that his doctors will find a way for him to be able to open his eyes. Not just for vision but hopefully help with the irritation of the eyes being so dry. Following his story, I wouldn’t have thought about yet another problem that poor guy has to contend with daily.

  129. way to go Ryan!!!!! this is promising!!!!! keeping him and your family in my prayers! hoping 2015 is the year of miracles!!!!!!!

  132. In our world, every little thing is significant. It took 10 years for my sons eyes to align midline. Slow progress, never give up HOPE. Prayers continue for Ryan and your family.

  134. Awesome news! Did you by chance read the recent story going around on facebook about the guy in a coma for like 12 years and just wrote a book about it. He was always completely aware of everything around him even though the doctors said he wasnt . Have faith and hope always!

    • I read about that and I was thinking about it tonight when I was writing to Ken on FB. I got a birthday wish from the Deviney family and RyansRally. How great would it be if this happened with Ryan! I always heard that people in a coma can hear but it was shocking that that poor guy was actually awake and spent 12 years trying to figure out how he could communicate. Miracles do happen!

  137. Pray for Ryan all the time and a special prayer is for his eyes to heal,.This is the beginning of something good .Blessings to all

  140. I believe that this is a sign of more to come! Praying for more and greater breakthroughs for 2015.

  144. Exciting news, Ken! Wow! Just seeing Ryan’s blue eye sure tugs at our heart strings!
    I know we don’t have to remind you, but it’s always good to know: We are still here and not ever going away! Ryan, you rock our world!
    Love, hope, faith and prayer. Amen.

  145. You are not wrong in feeling hopeful when you see ANY new, positive change in Ryan-I’m sure we all share the same feeling after reading this! Happiness that Ryan gave you all a sign and it lifted your spirits! To those who have never been in a situation like this, they have no idea how HUGE a seemingly small thing like this is. It sure brought a smile to my face-so happy to hear this news!

  146. Ya never know when something that seems small winds up being huge! That’s great news….praying! <3

  148. Every little thing counts! That’s great news! Always praying & thinking positive for Ryan ♡☆♡

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Ryan's Rally, ℅ Ken Diviney
21092 Carthagena Ct.
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kdiviney@ryansrally.org