If you know Steve Ryan, you know he has major grit and determination and rarely lets anything stop him in his tracks. In the early morning hours of June 2, Steve had a medical emergency and suffered a massive left-side ischemic stroke. It affected his right-side mobility, speech, and memory, which, unfortunately, brought life as we all know it to a screeching halt.
After spending several days in the NeuroTrauma ICU, Steve was moved to a stroke unit where he remained hospitalized for 7 more days. Over the course of the week he made some impressive progress. He’s gaining strength and mobility of his right arm and leg, and we’re seeing some increased movement of his right fingers. His speech articulation is getting better with each day, and object recognition and memory are slowly returning – although he’s blocking out certain things – like his age, what month/year we’re in, and who the current president is, which tells us that his sense of humor and dissent are still 100% intact.
On June 11 he was transported to inpatient rehabilitation, however we’re unsure how long he’ll be there. Knowing Steve though, he will defy all odds and channel every bit of his willfulness into a remarkable recovery. He’ll require 24/7 care for a while once he’s discharged, and everyone is hopeful that life will return to some sense of normalcy in time. For the foreseeable future though, Steve will not be working, or driving, or able to do many of the things he’s passionate about.
We are doing our best to access and utilize any and all resources that are available to Steve through his employee benefits, however there are many cost of living expenses that these benefits do not cover, and with Steve being required to take medical leave from his job, the ability to meet and maintain his financial responsibilities during this this time will be a challenge.
Many people have asked how they can help, and we are incredibly grateful for the generosity already shown by our community through meals, gift cards, and donations as we navigate this first post-stroke phase of life.
At this time, we are asking for financial support to assist Steve on the long road ahead of him. All funds will go towards his accumulating medical expenses, monthly cost of living obligations (rent, utilities, car payments, insurance, etc. to avoid any loss or interruption), rehabilitation costs, specialized care, and gratitude for the dear friends who will be taking him under their wings and ensuring his safety and welfare during his recovery journey in their home. Our goal is to get Steve back in his house and back to independence.
We feel all the love and well-wishes, and while it’s not an easy thing to have to ask for help, we truly appreciate your support and any contributions.
Thank you,
Joni, Georgia (16), and Luke (12)
(*For those who are unaware, Steve and I have not been together as a couple for a number of years, and we live separately. However, we remain very close co-parents and friends, for which I’m beyond thankful. He knows we’ve put this campaign together to express the love that we, and so many others, have for him. He also knows that the distribution of any funds raised for him will be managed by several trusted members of The Steve Ryan Fan Club.)
