My Homeowners Association and County have been awful at clearing the neighborhood roads — especially my street — over the past couple of years. So, when the snowstorm was a certainty to hit the east coast the weekend before last, I packed provisions and took Ryan to my family’s cabin in West Virginia to ride it out. Being there meant we had unlimited access to clean water (there is a cistern well on property) and electrical power (via a gasoline powered generator).
This was only possible because we used Sue’s bonus from last year to buy Ryan a hospital bed to leave at the cabin. We had it delivered last summer and have spent considerable time there since. I love that Ryan gets to breathe the fresh mountain air, hear the sounds of woodland creatures, and sit by the lake with a fishing pole placed in his hands.
As for the storm, being there also meant we had unlimited access to clean water (there is a cistern well on property) and electrical power (via a gasoline powered generator).
Based on my experiences of growing up on the summit the Appalachians in Pennsylvania and now living in Virginia, I made the assumption that the folks in West Virginia are more capable of clearing the roads. Turns out, this proved true. With both locations getting just under 30-inches of snow, my Virginia house’s street remained unplowed for days, but the cabin road was always drivable.
With any snow/ice event, the most worrisome concern for the incapacitated is the inability to have access to emergency services and medications… followed closely by the loss of electricity or water.
Plain-and-simple, it’s frightening.
Still, I felt I had covered all contingencies and it was safer to take Ryan to the cabin. We arrived the day before the snowfall. I spent hours preparing. I unloaded the van, then backed it underneath the carport for protection. I bought 15 gallons of gasoline and fired up the generator (to give it a trial run). I checked the cistern well’s pump and water quality. I put chains on the tires and a plow on the front of a 4-wheel ATV. I checked the backup heat source.
By damn, I thought I had everything covered.
I was wrong.
Twenty-fours into the snowstorm, just as it was wrapping up and with the sun was low in the sky, I looked out the window to take in the beauty of the snow that had fallen on the floor of the woods. I love how the long shadows make the forest stand out in a dimension that I describe a virtual un-reality.
My eyes were drawn to the carport. I remembering thinking “something doesn’t seem quite right”. Just like you might see on a slapstick comedy, I rubbed my eyes with great exaggeration. I looked again and still didn’t trust my eyes.
Then I blinked, hard, several times (in slapstick style, I imagine) to convince myself that I was seeing in proper perspective; that the contrast of twilight wasn’t throwing it off.
Nope, thing were as they seemed to my unbelieving mind.
Ryan’s van, as viewed from my initial perspective.
The carport, under the weight of the snow, collapsed… on (and into) Ryan’s van. I could see damage to the van’s entire side and roof. A passenger’s window was clearly missing, and even before I could get dressed to go out and remove the snow from the carport’s roof, two more windows had shattered.
I spent hours clearing the snow from the carport that night. I froze my gonads off and was soaked to the core doing so, but was successful in getting the weight off; thus preventing greater damage (to the van, not my gonads).
The carport was secured with what I had on hand. Now I need to dismantle it to retrieve the jack and burning barrel.
The following morning I secured the carport by holding (i.e., jerry-rigging) it up with a motorcycle jack and various other items… like a burning barrel, ladder, and a couple of tires (that were only there because I was too lazy this past autumn to make them into tree swings).
I suppose I don’t feel quite as bad about myself now.
By mid-day the van was at the collision repair garage. There was nothing left to do but file an insurance claim and wait to hear from the mechanic on just how badly it was damaged and how long it would be in the shop.
I’ll give a summation of each:
- Damage. The initial estimate is, at least, $10,000. It’s probably more, but that won’t be determined until repair work is underway. Presumably, insurance will cover it, except for a $100 deductible. The van is an asset of the Ryan Diviney Special Needs Trust Fund, and this fund must (technically) pay the deductible. It was setup — from the beginning when it was donated by Koon’s Tyson Toyota — to belong to Ryan. I suggested the fund has ownership to assure that if ever sold then his fund would get the cash. As for the $100 deductible the fund must pay, I’ll personally replenish it to make it whole again.
- Time. Six to eight weeks. Maybe longer. The parts are customized for disabled components and a dropped-floor. They just don’t exist (for the most part) on the aftermarket.
Ryan and I are still shut-in at the cabin. I guess I’d rather be nowhere else with him, given the circumstances. A friend of ours — who I seriously believe might be an angel — searched and found a disabled van that we can rent. The problem is, it’s so damned expensive! It’ll run either $300 for a weekend or $2,600 monthly. As much as I would like Ryan to be able to get out, the cost is too excessive.
The plan is to rent it this Friday in order to get him home. Then, come late-March to Early-April, when the van is repaired, our freedom to take him places will be available to him again.
It seems wanting things to be normal again is the subplot of the life we now live…
MRSA Update: Ryan ends his course of antibiotics tomorrow. We’ll (probably) know if they were effective several days henceforth.
The inability for you to catch a break and make every effort to provide a relaxing and secure place for you and Ryan is constantly fraught with tragic circumstance after horrible circumstance.
This makes me cry for you. Keep going.
I would ask your insurance company if your policy covers a “like” rental vehicle. It is a possibility that it does. I’m so sorry that you just can’t catch a break.
We did check… they don’t. I tried to add that when the policy was set-up, to no avail.
I’m so sorry. Sounds like our kind of luck. At times it would be comical if it wasn’t so frustrating. I could probably write a book. Anyway good luck with everything
Oh, and you did have everything covered…it’s just that the snowstorm decided to one up you!
Ken,
Please get back to me. I have access to a van that you may use.
Just FB messaged you back!
Ok, yet another stumbling block and a learning experience concerning carports. My Dad has one too and I wondered how it was going to hold up during the snow. Sounds like everything got worked out though. Hang in there Ken, I have these detours too and some I can laugh at and some I have a harder time with. I couldn’t help but wonder what Ryan would have done had he been standing there looking out too. . Spring is just around the corner and I’m sure once you’re sitting around the fire then, this will be a good laugh and a memory. Still here, still praying…
Just dosent seem fair Ken…I admire your strength
Praying that it gets repaired much sooner than anticipated!
You have had my admiration from the start, you continue to inspire me. If there is someway to , I would be happy to pitch in for the van rental for the month or so you will be without your own.
God Bless you
<3
Things have to change. Good things to come ❤️
We’ll make sure that your Ashburn home is wheelchair accessible by Friday. Thank God you and Ryan are safe where you are for now! Praying that the antibiotics are doing good work in him <3
When are you going there to shovel? Please let me know! I’m a great worker bee!
I honestly don’t know how you do it!!!!!!!! Prayers for positive things within the rest of 2016 and beyond!!!!
If you need me to shovel it out I’ll be happy to assist
If you need me to shovel it out I’ll be happy to assist
Oh no! I am glad you and Ryan are ok. Hope it gets repaired sooner than later
Oh no! I am glad you and Ryan are ok. Hope it gets repaired sooner than later
Damage notwithstanding…. I am glad you got out of dodge before the storm and were safe. I was worried about you and hoped you had at least good access to the roads in case of an emergency. Check with Koon’s to see if you could use one of their vans. Call Bobby Baker up in Annapolis, he might be able to help.
Rhonda
I am glad Ryan is responding to the antibiotics in a positive way so far and hope when he is off of them this infection will have been stopped.
I sure hope things change for you and Ryan. It’s hard with a disabled family member. I had my pipes freeze,. We were without water for 3 days.You know how hard that is with a disabled family member who is 24/7. We had so much snow, that both our decks and both ramps had to be shoveled so I could get Corey out if necessary. At 65 I had to shovel it by myself. I had the battery go dead in our conversion van and have a flat tire but the van was snowed in so we still haven’t gotten it fix. And to top it off Coreys power chair was broken for a month. It sucks when things go bad and you have someone who relies on you for everything. Chin up Ken, you’re a great father and Ryan is so lucky to have you. 🙂 Hope the antibiotics have helped the MRSA.
Prayers that things start looking up ❤
Whoa…..you always entertain . Cabin does sound beautiful!
I suggest that everyone who stands behind Ryan and the Diviney Family get together and set up an account at a bank and donate money to the family to help in this troubling time of need.
Unbelievable, life can be a bitch! Just when you think you are one step ahead……prayers your way.
On the bright side it could have been the cabin roof. We have to be thankful for the little things!We are supposed to get hit with a blizzard here in Iowa tomorrow. Planning on staying in and snuggling with a good book, hope you can do the same! Hugs!!
Hi Ken, I’m really sorry this happened!! I hope the van is fixed sooner rather than later. Thank goodness you are okay. I’m sure that carport has seen heavy snows but this storm was intense. I hope a stronger one can be put in to help protect Ryan’s van. It is a wonderful, wonderful thing that you’re able to get take Ryan to the cabin so he can enjoy the fresh air and change in environment. I am so glad you have achieved this for him!! Praying for an early Spring and many beautiful days and memories at the cabin!!
Love & hugs, thoughts of summertime –
Paula
Oh, geez, Ken! The fun just keeps on coming doesn’t it! That Murphy guy – I will find him and dispose of him!!! Love you guys – the most important thing is that you two are OK. The rest is just business as usual it seems:) Love & prayers, Annie. Great news on the MRSA – SHSP NGA XOXO
Sending you good vibrations from out here in the world. I’m so sorry this happened.
So happy to know you and Ryan are getting out of town, but really sorry to read about the van! I would have thought this was the best place to keep the snow off it. Happy to hear you have access to another can until Ryan’s can can be repaired. God is good! Hope the snow in Ashburn is melting fast and will be all gone by the time you and Ryan return. Love and prayers always.
Safe travels tomorrow if you are headed back home. Hope the antibiotics were effective.
Always on my mind.
oh geez….glad you are all ok.
How are things? Thinking of you all.
God bless you all.