GOSNELL, Ark. — On any day you might find Abby Ryan practicing on the family piano or spending time with her family. She’s like most 16-year-olds, but her family said what makes her special is her love for working in church and helping other kids.
“The youth camp is about kids, and I love kids,” Abby said.
One could say Abby’s compassion for others comes from the ups and downs she’s experienced in her very young life.
“It’s been a crazy roller coaster,” Abby said.
Her mom, Lisa Ryan, said that roller coaster started shortly before Abby became 2 years old.
“We took her to the pediatrician and she was just, all kinds of medicines, and she never seemed to get better,” Lisa Ryan said.
When Abby was in preschool, she became severely ill and was diagnosed with pneumonia and almost died.
“I went in, and she was dying at that time,” Lisa Ryan said. “Her eyes rolled back, and I said, Abby, you can not leave me, you have to stay.”
The Ryans turned to prayer.
“Of course, I started praying and said, God, you can’t take her home from me, not now,” Lisa Ryan said.
Abby was barely able to breathe. The Ryans also said they turned to Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital. Abby was quickly taken to the emergency room.
“I was scared to death because this was my baby, and I was afraid I was going to lose her,” Lisa Ryan said.
It was determined that Abby had a severe case of asthma. She remained at Le Bonheur for six days as she got better and returned home.
Her dad, Chuck Ryan, said she’s also had to deal with a condition known as accelerated joint syndrome.
“At age 5, the joint issues got worse and pain and discomfort. So we continued to deal with that,” Chuck Ryan said.
“She wouldn’t be able to get out of bed to get into the living room, she’d have to crawl because she was in so much pain,” Lisa Ryan said.
She was diagnosed with scoliosis, which is a sideways curvature of the spine.
“She’s endured more in her 16 years in life than I have in my 56 years,” Chuck Ryan said.
But these days Abby is stronger and doing much better. The Ryans said what’s made a difference in Abby’s life is the specialized care she received at Le Bonheur.
“Le Bonheur has always been down there. It’s like a gem,” Chuck Ryan said.
It is amazing seeing what Abby is able to do now, and because of Le Bonheur she hopes to one day return the favor of helping sick kids get well.
“I want to be a registered nurse and help sick kids. It’s a dream of mine.” Abby said.
It could be dream that could likely become a reality because of the exceptional patient care at Le Bonheur.
“Le Bonheur is like my second family. Every time I go there I’m happy to see everybody because they’re like a second family to me.”
