thedrifter
04-10-07, 07:04 AM
04/10/2007
The battle back home
By Joshua M. Rinaldi , Freeman staff
ELLENVILLE - Sgt. Eddie Ryan says he has the determination of pit bull and has a tattoo to prove it.
But the real proof of the Ellenville Marine's determination are the last two years of his life. He has battled back from the brink of death after being shot twice in the head with large-caliber bullets on a rooftop in Iraq.
"The doctor's prediction was that he would not live," his mother Angie Ryan said. "They flew us to Germany to be with him in his final moments."
For the first month of his recovery, he was on life support and the doctors changed their prognosis. They said he'd live but probably would be in a vegetative state or have no memory of his family.
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Friday will mark the two-year anniversary of Ryan's injury. Now 23, Ryan is talking, writing with his left hand (he was right-handed) and remembers everyone. His dad, Chris Ryan, said the joke around the house is that if you don't remember something, ask Eddie.
It's taken speech, physical and occupational therapy to get Ryan to this point and much more will be needed to continue his recovery. However, Ryan remains upbeat. His father said they do therapy every night. He helps his son do sit-ups and said they usually do about 50. Last Tuesday evening, as he grabbed his son's hands to help him up, the younger Ryan grinned and said "100."
Ryan's enthusiasm is matched by his parent's urgency. This is the crucial time for Ryan's recovery and he's not getting the therapy he should be, they said.
Chris Ryan thinks the Veteran's Administration just wasn't prepared for the amount of casualties that would be coming back from the war and they are especially unprepared to treat traumatic brain injuries like his son's. After two tours in Iraq, Ryan is still fighting a battle.
"If our son wasn't so seriously injured, we could tell you true stories (about the Veteran's Administration) and laugh," Chris Ryan said. "It's a joke what goes on. It really is, but it's not a funny joke."
Terry Breitenstein, director of Ulster County's Veterans' Service Agency, agreed that the country was not prepared for the repercussions of the Iraq war. He said there is a lack of money, a lack of manpower and a lack of attention to detail.
Breitenstein said Ryan's problem is not unique, but is occurring nationwide. In over 20 years of working with veterans, the demand is the busiest he's ever seen it.
"My concern is this: This is one instance. What happens if we get another Eddie Ryan or two more Eddie Ryans (in the area)?" Breitenstein said.
Chris and Angie Ryan say that it's been one fight after another to get their son the treatment he needs. First, they fought to get him home and out of the VA hospital. The family received a $50,000 grant to convert their house into one with adequate space for his rehabilitation, but said the renovation relied on the generosity of construction companies because they only recently received the check.
Next, it was trying to buy a walking machine to help him regain the use of his legs. Eventually, the family laid out $11,000 for the machine by themselves.
The latest struggle is getting Ryan enough therapy. He is cleared for five occupational therapy session a week and is only getting one, they said. Throughout the process, the family said it has relied heavily on assistance from U.S. Rep. Maurice Hinchey's office.
"If he gets the proper therapeutic care, he can gradually begin to return to a somewhat normal life," Hinchey, D-Hurley, said.
Likewise, U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer has a member of his staff meeting with the Ryan family today to discuss assistance.
"Our veterans should never have to worry if there is going to be enough money to pay for their care. They have earned far better from the federal government," Schumer, D-N.Y., said in a prepared statement.
Peter R. Potter, public affairs officer for Albany Stratton VA Medical Center, said he couldn't discuss the Ryan case because of federal laws. However, he said the Veterans Administration leads the nation in customer satisfaction in both the public and private sector.
Chris Ryan doesn't buy it. He said organizations like the Semper Fi Fund for injured marines and the Coalition to Salute All America's Hero as well as individual donations, are the prime reason for Ryan's recovery.
"These people pick up where the government doesn't," Chris Ryan said. "These organizations, if it weren't for them, life would be much harder."
Mrs. Ryan estimates that they spend about $800 a week getting her son massage therapy, music therapy, extra physical therapy and chiropractors. Adding to the financial burden, she quit her job to be with her son and Chris Ryan said he has cut back on his overtime and weekend work.
Now the family is also struggling to get recognition for Marines who saved their son's life. They said they had been told the Marines had been recommended for a Bronze Star, but haven't received it to date, possibly because Ryan was wounded by friendly fire. Recognizing the Marines who saved their son's life would afford some closure, they said.
Despite his injuries and his trouble getting treatment, Ryan hasn't been disillusioned with the military.
"I want to go back in the Marines," he said of his long-term goal.
Under current laws, Chris Ryan explained that within five years, if his son can recover enough to do a job in the Marines, they'll take him back. Chris and Angie Ryan have faith that if their son gets the treatment he needs, he'll make that recovery.
Hinchey is optimistic that the system is changing, but thinks that it will take time. He looks at the potential VA center for traumatic brain injuries at the Northeast Center for Special Care in Lake Katrine as another possible source of hope for the Ryan family.
Ellie
The battle back home
By Joshua M. Rinaldi , Freeman staff
ELLENVILLE - Sgt. Eddie Ryan says he has the determination of pit bull and has a tattoo to prove it.
But the real proof of the Ellenville Marine's determination are the last two years of his life. He has battled back from the brink of death after being shot twice in the head with large-caliber bullets on a rooftop in Iraq.
"The doctor's prediction was that he would not live," his mother Angie Ryan said. "They flew us to Germany to be with him in his final moments."
For the first month of his recovery, he was on life support and the doctors changed their prognosis. They said he'd live but probably would be in a vegetative state or have no memory of his family.
Advertisement
Friday will mark the two-year anniversary of Ryan's injury. Now 23, Ryan is talking, writing with his left hand (he was right-handed) and remembers everyone. His dad, Chris Ryan, said the joke around the house is that if you don't remember something, ask Eddie.
It's taken speech, physical and occupational therapy to get Ryan to this point and much more will be needed to continue his recovery. However, Ryan remains upbeat. His father said they do therapy every night. He helps his son do sit-ups and said they usually do about 50. Last Tuesday evening, as he grabbed his son's hands to help him up, the younger Ryan grinned and said "100."
Ryan's enthusiasm is matched by his parent's urgency. This is the crucial time for Ryan's recovery and he's not getting the therapy he should be, they said.
Chris Ryan thinks the Veteran's Administration just wasn't prepared for the amount of casualties that would be coming back from the war and they are especially unprepared to treat traumatic brain injuries like his son's. After two tours in Iraq, Ryan is still fighting a battle.
"If our son wasn't so seriously injured, we could tell you true stories (about the Veteran's Administration) and laugh," Chris Ryan said. "It's a joke what goes on. It really is, but it's not a funny joke."
Terry Breitenstein, director of Ulster County's Veterans' Service Agency, agreed that the country was not prepared for the repercussions of the Iraq war. He said there is a lack of money, a lack of manpower and a lack of attention to detail.
Breitenstein said Ryan's problem is not unique, but is occurring nationwide. In over 20 years of working with veterans, the demand is the busiest he's ever seen it.
"My concern is this: This is one instance. What happens if we get another Eddie Ryan or two more Eddie Ryans (in the area)?" Breitenstein said.
Chris and Angie Ryan say that it's been one fight after another to get their son the treatment he needs. First, they fought to get him home and out of the VA hospital. The family received a $50,000 grant to convert their house into one with adequate space for his rehabilitation, but said the renovation relied on the generosity of construction companies because they only recently received the check.
Next, it was trying to buy a walking machine to help him regain the use of his legs. Eventually, the family laid out $11,000 for the machine by themselves.
The latest struggle is getting Ryan enough therapy. He is cleared for five occupational therapy session a week and is only getting one, they said. Throughout the process, the family said it has relied heavily on assistance from U.S. Rep. Maurice Hinchey's office.
"If he gets the proper therapeutic care, he can gradually begin to return to a somewhat normal life," Hinchey, D-Hurley, said.
Likewise, U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer has a member of his staff meeting with the Ryan family today to discuss assistance.
"Our veterans should never have to worry if there is going to be enough money to pay for their care. They have earned far better from the federal government," Schumer, D-N.Y., said in a prepared statement.
Peter R. Potter, public affairs officer for Albany Stratton VA Medical Center, said he couldn't discuss the Ryan case because of federal laws. However, he said the Veterans Administration leads the nation in customer satisfaction in both the public and private sector.
Chris Ryan doesn't buy it. He said organizations like the Semper Fi Fund for injured marines and the Coalition to Salute All America's Hero as well as individual donations, are the prime reason for Ryan's recovery.
"These people pick up where the government doesn't," Chris Ryan said. "These organizations, if it weren't for them, life would be much harder."
Mrs. Ryan estimates that they spend about $800 a week getting her son massage therapy, music therapy, extra physical therapy and chiropractors. Adding to the financial burden, she quit her job to be with her son and Chris Ryan said he has cut back on his overtime and weekend work.
Now the family is also struggling to get recognition for Marines who saved their son's life. They said they had been told the Marines had been recommended for a Bronze Star, but haven't received it to date, possibly because Ryan was wounded by friendly fire. Recognizing the Marines who saved their son's life would afford some closure, they said.
Despite his injuries and his trouble getting treatment, Ryan hasn't been disillusioned with the military.
"I want to go back in the Marines," he said of his long-term goal.
Under current laws, Chris Ryan explained that within five years, if his son can recover enough to do a job in the Marines, they'll take him back. Chris and Angie Ryan have faith that if their son gets the treatment he needs, he'll make that recovery.
Hinchey is optimistic that the system is changing, but thinks that it will take time. He looks at the potential VA center for traumatic brain injuries at the Northeast Center for Special Care in Lake Katrine as another possible source of hope for the Ryan family.
Ellie