I am horrified to have just found out tonight that a family (whose blog I often read) has lost their 14-year-old autistic son, Ryan. He was on an annual father-son campout and went missing on Thursday. His body was found on Friday. It appears he had a seizure while playing by the creek, then fell in.
Mary Ellen, Ryan's mom, has a blog at http://maryellenb.typepad.com/ . I often go to her blog for inspiration...she is a Catholic, homeschooling mom of 8. She wrote this tribute to Ryan in April, for Autism Awareness month: http://maryellenb.typepad.com/tales_from_the_bonny_blue/2009/04/april-is-autism-awareness-month.html
Their local news story can be found here: Missing autistic teen found dead
Also, I just came across a published e-mail from Mary Ellen:
Ryan was a light in our lives and now that he is forever at the feet of Christ his light will shine even brighter for us.
I know it’s been difficult for everyone, getting information piecemeal. Here are some details, please feel free to share them or any part of this email.
Ryan was playing in a little stream a few yard from the campsite. His father and the others knew where he was and he was in view. Other kids were near him but after a bit they spread out. They were all very excited to be in the campsite, they had only just arrived. When they called the kids for prayers Ryan didn’t come and after a very short time the rangers were called and then the state police and fire marshals. They searched with dogs (my poor Ryan so
terrified of them). Dave called me at 11:30pm and then every hour until our dear friend, who was scheduled to go up there Sat with his four boys, drove me up at 4:30am. I arrived there at about 8:00 and they were searching with a helicopter and infrared radar as well as divers. He was found at about 10:30. In the five minutes between the other kids being there and his being called Ryan had a grand mal seizure and slipped into the stream, his body was found a few feet away in a drain in a culvert. It is believed the seizure is what killed him although we don’t have confirmation of that yet. When Dave and I saw him, he looked very peaceful and that was of great comfort to us.
Ryan received last rites at the campsite, two priests against all odds showed up in the middle of the woods at exactly the right time to administer the sacrament. Only Ryan could have arranged that.
It was reported that Ryan wandered off and some reports were quite cruel in their tone. It just is not true. We did a brief interview with Newsday to try to correct that and have since had my brother dealing with turning away all of the news agencies. They have been like barbarians at the gate.
In the last 48 hours we have been so blessed by all of the prayers
and love that we have received. My friend Chris has completely taken
over and has made it possible for us to not have to think. The
Knights of Columbus and Squires have also been incredible. I know
all of the people on IHM and MO have been contacting Chris and
lining up to help and we are just so grateful.
The pain that David and I are in is too unbearable to speak about. I
ask for your prayers for us and our children. Katie and Erin in
particular are old enough to understand and are completely
devastated. Every time I look at them my heart breaks all over
again. The little ones are sad and confused, not really understanding.
We are very mindful of how sad this is going to be for all off Ryan’s friends in IHM. For many it will be there first experience with losing a friend and Dave and I are offering up some of our sorrow for their comfort. They have lost a dear friend but gained a mighty intercessor.
In the coming weeks we will read all of the emails and posts and do our best to respond to everyone, in the meantime please be assured of our gratitude and love for you all.
Love,
Mary Ellen
I can't even IMAGINE what the family is going through right now. They are in my prayers and I hope you keep them in yours, too.
No comments:
Post a Comment