On February 5th, Ryan was in a serious skiing accident at Crystal Mountain and airlifted to Harborview Medical Center. The impact of her fall broke her neck and caused a spinal cord injury as well as a broken tibia and fibula. Upon arrival at the hospital, Ryan immediately underwent surgery to address her broken neck and relieve the pressure on her spinal cord. The next morning, she had additional neck surgery and later that same afternoon surgery to repair her leg. Currently, she has limited dexterity in her left hand and no movement in her legs, although some sensation. Ryan spent 10 days in the ICU and has moved to inpatient rehabilitation at Harborview. For the next 3-4 weeks, she will be learning how to navigate her new day-to-day life in a wheelchair and working to regain as much movement as possible in her left hand and legs. Thankfully she is awake and stable, but there is a long road ahead with many outpatient rehab visits and physical therapy sessions.

Ryan is an extremely active young woman. Skiing, cycling, and rock climbing are all part of her weekly activities. Those that know Ryan would describe her as bubbly, creative, motivated, and always happiest outdoors. Ryan has a passion for helping others. She has been a preschool teacher for students with disabilities and recently moved into a new role within the University of Washington’s Education Department.

We are grateful for the talented medical staff at Harborview. Ryan loves her nurses and therapists. She is excited to work hard in rehab and make the most of this experience.

These donations will go towards covering medical bills, rehab, paying her current lease, and finding a new accessible apartment in Seattle surrounded by the people she loves. Any amount is appreciated and will go directly to Ryan and her family.