My name is Jesa Minnick and I am looking for help for my husband Ryan P. Driscoll, Jr.

TLDR

Driscoll has been dealing with chronic pain and nerve damage from a broken vertebrae and slippage. It is a condition called Isthmic spondylolisthesis. It has affected his quality of life and ability to work and homestead. The past 6 months have been filled with 4-6 doctors’ visits per week. His condition is improving but there is still a long way to go. Accidents or further slippage could be very damaging to his future. Please donate to support Driscoll in this time of recovery.

HISTORY OF US

I met Ryan P. Driscoll, Jr. (Driscoll for short) when we were teenagers, 18 years ago.

We spent long hours driving, taking photos, making films, and talking about our future together. We even designed a house out of cardboard complete with art studios and a garden. We soon knew that we wanted to spend the rest of our lives together building a community and serving that community in whatever way we could. We fell in love with Vermont and its DIY lifestyle. When we made the leap to leave Philadelphia there was nothing that could stop our dream.

MOVING TO VERMONT

My husband and I loved the magical giving nature of the people here and sought out how best to be part of their community. We began by growing medicine: hemp and mushrooms. At first we did it to help our family’s illnesses and hopefully make enough to share with others. We then moved onto growing vegetables and incorporating them into our Korean pop up food business, Mountain Song Travelling Kitchen.

It has been a fun ride, but unfortunately we are on a medical hiatus.

BEGINNING SYMPTOMS AND SOBRIETY

When we moved to Vermont in 2020, Driscoll had some weekends after farming when he could barely walk. A slip in the mud could have him in bed for the day or walking with a crutch. At the time, he dismissed it as needing to stretch more or wear better boots. I assumed the same, but when his injuries and time needed to recover after a day of work got exceedingly long, we both got concerned.

As you may know, addiction can cover up mental illness and physical pain. In some people, this takes the form of opiates and pain medications. In Driscoll, it was alcohol. I forgot about his pain, and thought his long recovery times were due to hangovers. In September 2024, he went through medical detox and rehab. He hasn’t had a sip of alcohol since.

After becoming sober, he finally sought medical attention for his pain. He thought that physical therapy and rest would help, but his symptoms began to get noticeably worse than his peers of the same age and in the same field.

DIAGNOSIS

We never expected his X-rays to reveal a life changing condition. His case of Grade 2 Spondylolisthesis shows a bilateral fracture in his L5 has caused the vertebrae to slip onto the S1. Compression in his spine from this condition is causing nerve damage, sending signals to his brain of extreme pain or sudden failing in his legs. They think the fracture likely happened from an injury sustained in childhood, and the slippage worsened slowly over time. Any further injury or degradation could have a serious impact on his ability to walk or stand.

We now have the great fear that he could lose his ability to play guitar, become paralyzed, or worse if an accident were to happen or his nerve damage continue to worsen.

The doctors have suggested intense physical therapy for a year or longer. He is in the middle phase of that treatment. Further treatments include steroid injections, epidurals, and surgery. These things don’t cure the condition, and oftentimes come with their own risky complications and long recovery times.

We are in a place where we don’t know what the future holds, but have to take everything in stride. The treatment will help with his condition, but regardless he is looking at chronic pain forever.

If you know Driscoll, you are well aware of his musical talents and fun-loving nature. He loves to jump around, dance, and just be a goof. The chronic pain mixed with the inability to fully express himself has been psychologically tolling.

OUR RETURN

Driscoll spends most of his days in doctor’s offices and hospitals. He has just returned to work after being out for 6 months. Between running to appointments and his physical limitations, he cannot work in the same capacity as before.

This condition means we must change how we run our business in the future. He is not allowed to lift over 10 pounds, and cannot stand for too long. Really, we should not be doing food events until he gets better. And if you know him, he really loves doing it!

The house we built with friends and family was designed to be lived in by two young and physically capable people. We now have to consider ways in which to change the house and garden to make it accessible for him. Projects we hope to achieve are an accessible stairway with railings, an even pathway to our vehicle, and a wagon to help carry supplies.

We will use these donations to support us during this next year of his recovery. Then we hope Driscoll can safely continue doing what he loves, being an active member of the community and growing and preparing special meals for you.

Anything you could donate would be so greatly appreciated. Please do everything you can to take care of your health now.

Thank you,

Jesa