It’s so incredibly hard to believe. Yesterday, at 2:30PM (EDT) an epic journey — both figuratively and literally — began. Below is the press conference coverage (3 Minutes & 59 Seconds) with a hand-selected élite panel of participant’s. Frank Fumich is one of just six chosen!
As Frank’s name was called to join this panel,the crowd began chanting “Ryan! Ryan! Ryan!” as he walked to the platform! There is video of this, but I’m having problems embedding it to this page. I’ll continue to work on getting it working.
On top of this touching welcome by the crowd, Frank was the only rider that was applauded when finished speaking!
Unable to view the video? Watch it on YouTube by clicking this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HZQSSPmAo-E
Would you like to support Ryan and Frank? Donate by clicking here!
I’m told by my old college roommate (John Maletta), who is closely following Frank’s progress — since he is an avid bike and holds an annual fundraiser (5th consecutive year to kick off later this summer) — that the temperature on Frank’s route today will reach 117 degrees! Jokingly, I told him “It’s a dry heat.” His response?
“Says us… as I sit here with my feet up, sipping coffee and Facebooking with an old friend.”
Frank takes a moment to step into the Pacific Ocean before riding 3,000 miles across country.
Frank Fumich started with 2 feet in the Pacific Ocean and will end with 2 feet in the Atlantic Ocean or Chesapeake Bay somewhere near Annapolis, MD. Frank’s 3,000 mile bike ride will take about 12 days. But as grueling as that sounds, it’s nothing compared to the 5 long year that Ryan’s family has spent caring for him after he was brutally attacked near the WVU Campus. Please watch the video and donate to this incredible cause. You are amazing Frank! [Source: Bill Confair, via Facebook]
Related articles
Absolutely love the fact that Frank is doing this! It brings so much awareness to TBI and keeps Ryan relevant! I actually have the holiday card from you all hanging in my pod at work. I also have “Ryan Updates” and “RAAM Updates” on a dry erase board on my desk. People will walk by and ask “Who is that?” or “What are these updates for?”. I, then, get to let them know about Ryan, the incident, your family, Frank, RAAM, and all the other things I can possibly think of in helping keep Ryan relevant. I show them this page and also let them know about the Facebook Page, Instagram, and Twitter. It amazes me how many people are interested in learning about Ryan and everything. God Bless you all. Sending much love!
Awesome man, God Bless him and his friends that are helping him along they way.
This is amazing. I’d like to post it in several pages but it would be good to have the donation link at the end to make it easier for people to donate. Is it possible to add?
Will do right now.
Ken, This is absolutely incredible. And as selfless of an act as this is that Frank is doing, Ryan is that special. Always. I still wait for the day that Ryan can say to you, Ken, and to Sue, and to Kari, “Thank you, Dad. And Mom. And Kari.” And now, “Thank you, Frank!” And MOTN club still prevails, Miss Carla!
Prayers for Frank for a safe ride. Always thinking of the Diviney family.
I wear my shirt every Saturday and sometime Sunday (after its washed of course) I love it and I love what Frank is doing for Ryan!! #gofrank
I woke up several times last night and thought about/prayed for Frank on this journey, It was like the MOTNC all over again. 🙂 For those who don’t know what MOTNC means – it stands for “Middle of the night crew.” Whenever someone who has been following Ryan’s story is up during the wee hours, we say an extra prayer for Ryan and his family. This is no different. I found myself praying, checking Facebook status for miles traveled, etc. God Bless Frank for what he is doing. And thank you God, for surrounding the Divineys with such an inspirational team of people.
Charter member, MOTNC, right here! Following RAAM since about 3:30 this morning. Prayers ongoing for RAAM. Always prayers for Ryan and family. Whole lotta lovin’ goin’ on right here!!
You got that right Jo
I second that Carla One of us are always praying for Ryan And adding Frank now Go get em for our boy
I was just reading articles about “ordinary people who do extraordinary things.” But then I decided — they aren’t ordinary people — they are extraordinary to begin with, and that’s why they do what they do. So right now I’m thinking about three extraordinary people — Frank, Ken and Ryan — extraordinary people doing extraordinary things.
It is very inspiring to know what the three of you do — and — humbling. You set the bar very high, but it gives the rest of us something to ponder, and, to reach for if we can find it within ourselves. Everyone is different — what drives us is unique — but what motivates us to be more than we thought we could be — that’s the “extra” part that the three of you have in spades.
Everything the three of you do at once bewilders, amazes and excites me — because, it is enthralling to see people made of the right stuff put their hearts, wills and minds into action. It is uplifting and encouraging because it shows that when the chips are down, we can get up — if we decide that is what we are going to do. What is more meaningful than never giving up and never surrendering? Not much, because never quitting is everything.
Thinking about you, Ken, and Ryan — and Frank — and contemplating the extraordinary.
Love, hugs, prayers and thanking God for life’s extraordinary people
Paula
Great people…all around. May I respectfully ask a question? I have seen a few stories in the news where family members have included their injured loved ones in their various adventures, such as taking them biking along with them using modified equipment. Is this something that you are/would possibly be able to do with Ryan? I don’t know how often he is able to be outdoors and the logistics involved are probably difficult, but I know being out in nature, enjoying the weather and it’s calming effect, have always enhanced my life.
Bless you and yours.
We take him out at every opportunity!
That’s wonderful. If there was any equipment or otherwise that would help enhance these experiences or make them less logistically difficult, would you let us know. I know I saw photos of one father who has a custom designed bicycle that allows his child to ride right along with him. Would this be something you might be interested in?
That’s fantastic!
Frank is amazing! Awe-inspiring..
Frank is a true hero! What he is doing for Ryan is nothing short of incredible. Go, Frank, go — you have all of Team Diviney cheering and praying you through this RAAM4RYAN!
YES!!! I’ll be wearing my t-shirt this Saturday as I run my 1/2 marathon in honor of Ryan and Frank’s journey to bring visibility to Ryan and his family.
This is very nice and we will be praying g for his ride.
U;n so glad there are people out there like this!
Goosebumps! GOOSEBUMPS!!