RYAN BEITER

A BIG THANKS TO THE ENTIRE CARING COMMUNITY

Smiles radiated from all faces as the bustle of activity on Thursay night blossomed into my incredible fundraiser at the Grand Meridian Cinema! Members of the community were informed, thanks to KXLE’s creative radio ads, posted flyers around town, and documented info in the Daily Record. Ranch and Home sold out tickets for the event and got the word out; thank you! You see, I am anxiously awaiting a motorized wheelchair of my own. This is Ryan Beiter (aka: Smiley) reporting for the “ Team Smiley” Committee (Kathy Hoffman, Greg Zempel, Dawn Grening, Mary Kay Pratt, Kirk Eslinger, Ginny Sorenson, Gene Dana, Julie Kjorsvik and Matt Anderson along with helpers, Lisa Masters, Analeis Masters, Kathy Idler & crew, and Sundara Cook,). For the past four months, this incredible team, efficiently organized a silent auction and a stimulating dinner and movie night for me. I, (with helper, Lisa Masters) greeted the community with my voice-automated tech device as MC, Matt, and fundraiser extraordinaire, Greg Zempel, greeted guests. Of course, my parents and sister, Krystal, enjoyed meeting participants. After that, you may have seen me zipping around in my chair, with sis, Krystal in my lap. The silent auction created quite a stir and then we gathered for pasta, bread and salad with drinks made available by the Palace Café before we swormed the movie theatre to watch “ Are we there yet” . The half time show was amazing with a tear-jerking presentation by Joe Hallead’s kids from Camas highschool who took on Ryan’s project in an enormous way. Note the fun smiley t-shirts in the picture that these highschoolers created. They raised more than $2,000 to help me out; my family will visit them in the near future for a big thank you party! The evening culminated with endless chatter while savoring decadent cheesecakes/ strawberry deserts created by Sundara Cook. Yum! Thank you to our amazing community and the many donating businesses who so willingly gave of time and monetary support to help me raise funds for my wheelchair; we could never thank you enough for your generous donations. Thanks to the incredible “Team Smiley” committee and many more who gave time and energy to help me! Thanks especially to my special friend, Kathy Hoffman, who made her dream for me a reality. The community donated about $20,000 towards heavy disability equipment for me. We will keep you posted on equipment purchased and hope to post a picture of me soon in the paper sitting in my own, new wheelchair. For additional information, please check my blogsite at ryanbeiter.blogspot.com. Thank you beyond words! Ryan Beiter (Smiley) and my family (Paul, Cindy & Krystal)

Electric Wheelchair

Hi again--it's me....Smiley. Did you look at my pictures? I love to be with my family and I enjoy being at school too. My parents work hard to take care of all my needs....you see, I can barely speak audibly, do not clothe myself, and cannot walk. I am just now beginning to reciprical crawl (on all fours in a methodical manner) after two big surgeries on my hips that were very painful. I love life and am extremely motivated to move....I have just acquired a loaner electric wheelchair so that I can get around at my school, Valley View Elementary. I love my teacher, Ms. Selzler. She calls me, "Ry-guy" and says I get around in my "Hot rod". The other aides and teachers have been super; they help me each day in my regular classroom as I learn and play with the other typical kids. I use a personal computer and another high tech device, besides sign language, to let others know what I need. My biggest need is a personal, electric wheelchair. It is very expensive. There are some really cool people in Ellensburg who know about my needs, and are working hard to raise money for our family in April 2007. It will be a fun pasta and movie night and we will let you know more details soon. Thank you for caring enough to read my story and show me and my parents how much you care. You have no idea how much your help means to us!!! As always, Smiley!!!

Cerebral Palsy

What is Cerebral Palsy? Cerebral Palsy is a non-progressive condition that is caused by an injury to the brain before, during or shortly after birth. Cerebral refers to the head and palsy refers to abnormal muscle control. It is not a disease, not contagious or hereditary. Spasticity involves various body parts. Quadriplegia means all four limbs are involved; diplegia means the 2 lower limbs are involved and refers to poor muscle involvement on one side of the body. The trunk and facial muscles can also be involved, impacting oral skills needed for speech and eating. Sometimes, there is mental retardation associated with cerebral palsy to varying degrees and/or learning disabilities but this is not always the case. Some people with cerebral palsy have typical intelligence. The high muscle tone associated with spastic cerebral palsy is caused by the brain not sending enough messages to some muscle groups to relax resulting in a stiffness with specific muscle groups making normal movement patterns challenging and voluntary movements limited. This results in limited functional abilities of which ever muscle groups are involved. Therapy can be helpful in working weak muscle groups, improving balance and teaching the use of adaptive equipment such as wheelchairs, walkers, computers, communication devices and/ or reachers to improve skills and independence. Physical, occupational, and speech therapies can help but are not a cure. There is no known cure for cerebral palsy. Cerebral palsy in not a painful disease but complications can occur from muscle contractures created from a lack of stretching and normal muscle use. Constant abnormal joint positions and a lack of muscle support can lead to abnormal postures and joint complications which sometimes requires corrective surgery. Websites: http://www.ucp.org/ (United Cerebral Palsy) http://www.cerebralpalsy.com/ http://www.marchofdimes.com/ (Enter cerebral palsy under “search”)

RYAN BEITER

A BIG THANKS TO THE ENTIRE CARING COMMUNITY

About Me

Electric Wheelchair

Donations for Ryan's personal electric wheelchair

The Beiter Family

Cerebral Palsy