Move Mountains for Ryan


Friday, June 9, 2017 started off as a tremendous family occasion, but quickly became one of the worst days of our lives.
 
Ryan Verrett, my 11-year-old cousin traveled four hours from his home in Denham Springs, LA to attend the Shreveport Police Academy Graduation. When the graduation ended, as many 11-year-old boys do these days, Ryan and two of his best friends walked to a nearby park to play!! When it was time to leave, a driver waved for Ryan and his family to cross the street, not realizing that a vehicle was quickly approaching in the other lane. Ryan was struck by that car and after being hit he was thrown into the opposite lane where he was struck by a second car.

Ryan was rushed to University Health in Shreveport, where he has since been receiving care from the best trauma doctors in the state. While his condition is still too critical for doctors to learn much, we have already learned that our sweet Ryan has several skull fractures, a chipped spine, swelling in the liner of his brain, broken facial bones, broken bones and bleeding in his sinus cavities that are very close to his carotid artery, broken bones in his right ear, bruised lungs, several fractured ribs, a broken ankle, a broken hip, and multiple broken bones in his leg. It is still possible that has countless other injuries, but for now the doctors are focused on the most serious of his injuries... his brain. Ryan's brain is being monitored for possible swelling which could be life-threatening.

Every time Ryan wakes up he is a scared, lonely, and confused 11-year-old boy who is in a lot of pain and does not understand why. Because of this, Ryan goes into a panic every time he wakes up and is therefore having to be kept very heavily sedated for at least the next 48 hours.

Ryan's parents were home when the accident occurred and were then forced to drive the longest drive of their lives to see their son for a few short minutes.

This tragic accident comes only a few months after Ryan and his family lost their home and everything in it in the 2016 Historic Flood of Louisiana. But even after running from rushing waters for days, not knowing where his next meal would come from, and not knowing if his family would survive, Ryan bounced back quick. A few months after the flood, he and his older brother, Nathan James were back to playing video games in a home with no flooring.

Now, after finally moving back into their home, Ryan's family has been forced to leave it again, because Ryan's condition is too critical for traveling home. Due to the severity of his injuries, there is no telling how long Ryan's family will be out of their home yet again.

In only 24 hours, the cost of Ryan's trauma treatment alone has already become extreme. But there are so many more sudden and extreme expenses that we don't always think of. Ryan's brain and spinal injuries alone will likely require years of therapy and treatment. And even then, there are the small expenses which add up quickly, like the cost of gas traveling from their home and staying in a hotel for an unknown amount of time. Not to mention a future visit to his hair stylist, because Ryan's head has been half way shaven and that boy loves his hair!


Just a few weeks ago, Ryan's best friends were scarfing down crawfish with him... 
...and yesterday they were watching him get hit by two separate cars right in front of their own eyes.

Two days ago, Ryan was doing his favorite things: cooking, playing with animals, putting on goofy costumes, and having a blast with his cousins...
...and today he is fighting for his life.

Right now, it is a mostly waiting game for our family. Next it will be a long long road to recovery.

It does not matter how much you can afford to give; just know that every single dollar helps us reach our goal.

We will continue to update this page with every piece of news that we hear about Ryan. Until then, please keep Ryan and our family in your thoughts and your prayers.

Thank you.