Ease Shawn's Burden of Ryan's Hospice Care & His Final Days

I am at a loss for words here. I have been friends with Shawn Walker since we were 5-years old. We have watched each other grow and have been there for each other through life. We have been sister soul mates. I have received news that she will have to put her son, Ryan who is 31-years old with cerebral palsy in hospice care this past week.

The hospice team has been providing support for Shawn to learn how to provide modified comfort care for Ryan in his own home.

Her son Ryan has lived a good life at home with his family. Shawn has been his main care provider and dedicated her life to support him and care for him in his own home for 31 years. He is non-verbal. He has been wheelchair bound most of his life until more recent he has been bed bound due to his spasticity and severe contractions which have made it difficult for him to properly sit in his wheel chair. All his total daily living activities Shawn has had to perform for him.

Despite that, he still has been a very happy person. He can have this contagious laugh out of nowhere and you just have to wonder what he’s found so amusing. He has simple joys in life which have been watching cartoons or listening to music or when he used to be driven in the car having the window down and having the wind blow at him. He loved the wind and music playing on the radio in the car. He has a high mouth gratification so he has always loved to chew on anything he could get a hold of. You really have to watch what you would leave near him. He loves his food and his sippy cup. He always knows where his cup is at as he never wants to let go of it.

Shawn, Ryan, and his brothers will be facing a long and unknown road.

This GoFundMe is being set up by myself, Debra McCormick, a close childhood friend of Shawn. The goal of this fundraiser is to help her and the family as they have to navigate through this unimaginable hardship and grief with financial assistance to relieve the financial burden as she is unable to seek employment while providing hospice care for him to be comfortable in his own home setting as well as the unplanned funeral, burial and other expenses as they arise.

Any contribution to help alleviate the financial burden during this difficult time and thereafter would be deeply appreciated. Your support means the world to us as and we will honor Ryan’s memory as we navigate through this painful journey together. Thank you for your kindness and generosity.

Update: Ryan has been home for a week now as of this past Monday enjoying his own bed especially when the family cat, Wafer has been laying next to him in bed. I used to worry about her safety being in his bed as he has such a thing of grabbing everything and putting in his mouth that I kept them separate until now I decided to not separate them as my cat is doing a great job looking over him as well and Ryan is keeping his hands and mouth to himself LOL!!

Update: Ryan passed away in his home with his mom and brother Friday, July 12, 2024

Donations still being welcomed to help towards his burial, headstone and living expenses for mother to help her get back on her feet after years of being home taking care of her son. 

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