Outlined below are some of the things fundraising has helped Ryan to achieve since his discharge from hospital.
Transport
On Ryan's discharge from The West Midlands Centre for Spinal Injuries, Oswestry he relied on a local taxi firm to transport him around to various locations as he was and still is unable to transfer into a regular vehicle.
Funds raised from some of the events provided Ryan with his own adapted wheelchair accessible vehicle in the form of a Fiat Escudo. He can now travel to wherever he desires with his assistants and can enjoy more freedom.
Wheelchairs
Although Ryan currently uses wheelchairs provided by the wheelchair service he has aspirations of one day being able to select a new, more modern wheelchair for everyday usage. These wheelchairs can cost easily in excess of £3000 and therefore vital funds will be needed when Ryan is ready to make the move into using a more modern chair.
Driving
Alongside having the independence to go wherever he pleases Ryan, like any other young male wants to be able to learn to drive and has missed out so far on the fun of learning to drive when he was 17.
The purchase of a second vehicle with a specially fitted tail lift ramp and specially adapted hand controls have given Ryan the chance to learn to drive. He currently holds his provisional license and is now trying to find the time to put in some hours to learn to drive like every other young person.
Wheelchair Rugby
You will imagine not having the use of your body from below the shoulders down is not ideal for overall health, exercise or weight loss. This is true and Ryan has to work hard to remain as healthy and as active as possible. With only the limited use of his arms Ryan has even been able to join his local Wheelchair Rugby team The Wolverhampton Rhino's.
Using funds raised to purchase a specialist rugby wheelchair imported all the way from New Zealand, Ryan has been able to make new friends in similar positions to himself. He has been able to exercise and have fun and also made it onto the Team GB Wheelchair Rugby Development Squad.
Exercise Equipment
It is not always possible for Ryan to go to Rugby for varying reasons and so it was possible with help of the trust fund to purchase and Upper Body Ergometer or "Hand Bike" exercise machine. In a similar way to an able bodied person using a treadmill or bicycle in the gym Ryan can now get a cardiovascular workout in his own home which is essential for his on-going development and rehabilitation.
Air Rifle Target Shooting
Ryan's biggest success to date has also only been possible with vital funds raised by our fundraising events. When in hospital in Oswestry Ryan got the chance to try out a range of sports for post discharge. He took to Air Rifle Target Shooting and has since become very good at it, getting himself selected for the Great Britain Development Team.
He now has the chance to travel the world shooting in various competitions and has recently been to Poland, Germany and France to shoot, returning with 3 trophies for his achievments in Poland. If Ryan keeps up his rate of improvement and development we hope that he might even make the shooting team for the London 2012 Paralympics.
Without the trust fund it would be incredibly difficult if not impossible for Ryan to continue his sport and achieve his dreams of becoming a professional and medal winner. The fundraising events to date have helped Ryan with his travel and equipment expenses including a German Air Rifle and special custom made shooting jacket from Switzerland.
To see our latest fund raising goals click here...
To see what's happening in the future to raise money to help these causes click here...
