Giving

We are truly blessed. As hard as this holiday season has been, we find comfort in a loving family and many many blessed friends. We are so fortunate to have so many “giving” folks in our lives; we have been the recipient of the goodness, kindness and generosity of so many, which has been a very different Christmas for us. Santa, as usual, was very good. Among other things, he brought Ryan a new lap top computer, via the William Lang Foundation.

Established in 1989, the (William Lang) nonprofit foundation is dedicated to improving the quality of life of those suffering Spinal Cord Injury (SCI). Foundation resources are also used to fund research and practical therapies toward the cure for SCI.

"The onset of paralysis triggers both physical and emotional upheaval. Coping with the loss of movement, coupled with being dependent on others for their daily living is devastating. Every SCI individual undergoes transformations, sometimes completely making over their life goals. Employment opportunities are problematic. Relationships with all family, friends and acquaintances are reevaluated and made over based upon each individual's response to the injured, and their new physiological makeup. Adding to these challenges is the enormous expenses incurred, just to provide any kind of quality of life to the afflicted. The main goal of the foundation is to return purpose, motivation and an improved quality of life to the paralyzed. We, as caring human beings, can and must provide the tools to help the unfortunate." - Billy Lang

We are so grateful to those who thru life changing circumstances have chosen to help others that find themselves in the same situation. We truly hope that at some point we will be able to repay those efforts.

We took a ride on the Polar Express! The Durango/Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad took us to the “North Pole” where Santa greeted us and handed out sleigh bells. When we made the reservations we conveyed our need to have wheelchair access to the railcar. We told the reservation agent that Ryan’s chair was just like Christopher Reeve’s chair. We have found that it helps to give a visual as to what his chair is like; being that almost everyone knows Christopher Reeve, that is a good comparison. After a long wait of being placed on “hold” we were told that there would be no problem; the train would be able to accommodate us. We are always a little skeptical when we are told that access is available; however, when we got there we were pleasantly surprised. They had a lift, albeit somewhat rusty, and Ryan was able to “load.” Because the railcar windows are so high, Ryan was able to see out rather well. As the train made its way to the “North Pole” we listened to the story of the Polar Express, ate cookies, drank hot chocolate and then on the way back home, sang Christmas carols. There wasn’t any snow, but it was fun to see all the Christmas lights along the way. The “North Pole” is awesome for those who haven’t been there!!

Ryan started running a fever late Friday night and wasn’t feeling well. I think that he has some congestion in his lungs and has had for some time but because of the antibiotics for the UTI the possible lung infection has been masked. His fever reached 101.7° again; we continued to monitor it as it fluctuated between 100° and 101° finally dropping this afternoon. After opening up his presents, then attending Sacrament Meeting he couldn’t do much more and went back to bed around 3:00pm. He hasn’t had a fever this evening, but still doesn’t feel good. We hope tomorrow will be a better day!!

We hope that he gets to feeling better as we have planned to go down to Gallup for a couple of days – if he is up to it. It will be good to have a change of scenery and see our family down there.

We are so grateful to our Savior; his birth and his atoning sacrifice for each one of us. As you may have read from the last blog, Ryan’s testimony is strong. It took him several days to write that blog, as he became very emotional several times. He is getting better and better at using the voice recognition software. We have also just learned of a “speaking valve” that may help his voice; we are going to be talking to a physician about that after the first of the year. Even though he has “bad” days, his outlook on this injury is unbelievable. He is such a strength to us.

We love you all and wish each of you a very Merry Christmas and a Blessed and Happy New Year.

Love,

Dean, Terry and Ryan

From Ryan

To all friends and family:

    This is my first time in writing the blog. So please excuse the different writing style :-). I just want to thank everyone that has been a part of my story from the beginning, middle, or just joining. Know that I think about you and love you.

    I just finished reading the Book of Mormon; how remarkable it is to be able to learn from the Prophets of the Lord. Each time I read the Book of Mormon I learn something new. This time, I had a different focus. I was focusing on the faith, hope, and the mercies of Jesus Christ and our Heavenly Father. It is always fun to see the different perspectives as we read from that great book. I’ve preached its truth, I know it's true, and it can change lives. I'm so glad I had the opportunity to full-time teach of its truth, and how it can change people's lives. My Bishop, Bishop Meldrum, brought that tender mercy to my attention. If my accident had happened a few years earlier, I would not have been able to serve my Savior. I'm so glad that I was able to spend two full years in teaching the Filipino people about what I love and know to be true. What a "tender mercy!"

    I'm also trying to finish reading the November Conference talks in the Ensign to learn more about what the modern prophets want us to do. I am so thankful for so many ways in which to learn about Christ. We have not been left to fend for ourselves. Heavenly Father has provided so many ways in which we can learn to become like Him and return to Him. It is amazing the different avenues of which we can learn; both from prophets of old and our living prophets today. What another, "tender mercy" of the Lord.

    Yet another "tender mercy" is one quite humorous. While in the hospital, I was given many shots. I was prodded, poked, and scarred. However, I did not feel any of these, which is good. I hate getting shots!

    It has been a rough seven months. However, I know that through the love of many of you, the Savior, my family, and my Heavenly Father, I will do this. I felt many times, the "hand of the Lord" in this trial. He has buoyed me up, helped me, and given me comfort in the darkest of times. I know He is there, that He knows each and every one of us and our trials.

    It was interesting at the hospital, how much ahead I was of the other patients. Not in injury per se, but in my attitude, in the knowledge I have of the eternal perspective, and in knowing that the Savior knew me. It was amazing to me to see the difference in attitudes among the different patients. Some were bitter, mad, crying all the time, kept in the rooms, or just plain indifferent. Of course I've felt like crying all the time, sometimes mad or just plain indifferent; however, my attitude has been aided through the knowledge of the plan of salvation. My knowledge that my Savior did not do this to me, but has allowed it to happen in order to fulfill His purpose has sustained me.

    I would still like to thank each and every one of you who has thought about me, written me, prayed for me, and cared for me and my family. I wish I could respond to every e-mail, prayer and thought. I appreciate, and words cannot describe, how much you all have done for my family and me. Thank you all!

Love,

Ryan Lee Griffin

Packages Under the Tree

Well, Ryan’s on another antibiotic. He still has infection in his system. The laboratory has cultured the samples and the Doctor has prescribed meds to target the specific bacteria; but, then with the next lab analysis something else pops up!! Hopefully we are going to get past this; although, bladder infections are the #1 complication with spinal cord injuries. We will keep a close watch.

We learned today that our Doctor is leaving for two weeks for the Christmas holiday. How dare she!!! We are a little nervous, however with any luck will be ok! She did ease our minds when she told us that her assistant would be able to get a hold of her if necessary. Actually, we do hope that we don’t have to bother her!

Ryan had a pretty rough night last night. He complained of his arms hurting all afternoon and kept asking to have them ranged and moved to different positions. About 7:00pm he really started hurting and it didn’t let up until about 2:00am. Sometimes we are at a loss as to what to do to help him. Last night was the first time he sobbed because he was in so much pain. We moved him, stretched him, cried with him, moved him, prayed with him, prayed for him, moved him, Dean gave him a blessing (one of many) and finally he got some relief. This injury is so unbelievable. There is no explanation for any of it. It is so hard for Dean and I to see him go thru so much; even though he struggles, we are so glad that he is here and we can try to help him.

He was supposed to have his tracheostomy tube changed out last week. We have been awaiting the new tubes that are a different type, which were to be delivered today. We scheduled another Doctor appointment for this morning to have the change made, but the tubes still haven’t arrived. I have called the freight company and supplier every other day trying to figure out where the package is. Last night I went on-line to track the package and found that it was actually in Farmington, so I contacted the call center for the freight company and the gentleman relayed an “urgent” message to the Farmington office. I was told that the Farmington office would try to call me by about 8:30am. I hadn’t heard anything by 9:00am so I went down to the freight company’s warehouse to see if I could pick up the package. Not!! Their warehouse looked like the North Pole!! I couldn’t believe all the packages waiting for delivery to be placed under someone’s Christmas tree. Santa has been busy!! Needless to say, I didn’t get the package! It isn’t critical, so we will wait for Santa’s helpers to bring it by!!

Ryan had another rough day, mentally. He said he is really frustrated just sitting in his chair all day long, “All I want to do is to run and play basketball… I just want to be normal.” I told him that we may have to redefine “normal.” We talked about, among other things, how when we die our body goes to dust and all we take with us is what we have learned while we are here on this earth; so maybe our trial isn’t the injury, but how we adapt and use our minds and intellect to gain more knowledge and wisdom.

We will continue to pray for guidance. We are all going thru a “growing and learning” experience. It is hard for Dean and me to see Ryan in this situation, but it is as hard, or harder, for Ryan to see us trying to deal with all that is happening. We do count our blessings as well, as Ryan has said, “they are many.” He did smile before he went to bed tonight and that helps us sleep better!!

Love,

Dean, Terry and Ryan