After being diagnosed with cerebral palsy at the age of one, Ryan Macleod, 3, needs life altering surgery to help him live a better life.
“Ryan is such a happy little fella he always has a smile on his face! One look into his beautiful blue eyes and you know that every last penny I have, I would use to help him have a brighter future,” writes Ryan’s mother Jessica.
Ryan is three years old and suffers from Spastic Quadriplegia Cerebral Palsy. He is unable to walk, sit, or stand without the help of special equipment, she continues.
“This surgery will give Ryan the chance to have a somewhat normal childhood and life. This can give Ryan the chance to walk, sit, and stand with little to no support after building strength,” she says.
Ryan needs the same procedure that Lethbridge resident Tosia Matuszewski underwent in July after a stroke left her with cerebral palsy, hemiparesis, epilepsy and motor delays.
The Ricky Ryp Foundation donated $10,000 to Tosia’s cause. Another $40,000 was raised at a fundraising dinner and silent auction, held Sunday, Feb. 16 at Legends Pub & Grill in Lethbridge and the Matuszewskis had enough to pay for the first of Tosia’s surgeries.
Crowsnest residents Jessica and Clinton Macleod are asking for help to raise the estimated $55,000 they’ll need for the revolutionary, and expensive, surgery for their son.
The surgery is called Selective Dorsal Rhizotomy (SDR), which is available at the St. Louis Children’s Hospital in St. Louis, Missouri.
So far, Sparwood residents have donated an undisclosed amount, as the funds are still in the form of pre-recycled beverage containers.
“[We] had contacted a lady for fundraising and right away one individual gave us a horse trailer full of bottles,” says family friend Jason Miller. “We ended up coming home with a lot more than what we figured we were going there for.”
Miller says the Ricky Ryp Foundation has been solicited for support and that a fund is being set up through the credit union in Fort Macleod.
To donate to Ryan’s cause, visit www.gofundme.com/e87vlc. At the time of publication the online effort had raised $375.
“One step closer,” wrote Charles West after donating $100. “My thoughts are with you guys and with Ryan".