I’ve been debating this post. Not because it isn’t valid, but because I don’t want to upset Ryan.
It has been a tumultuous week. Culminating in his reunion with his teammates. And, the smiles on their faces says it all. I am extraordinarily grateful. And, Morgan, we have not forgotten you. You will be with them soon. I very strongly #Believe.
Earlier this week, as Ryan was returning from his physio/rehab in Calgary, his transport bus was involved in a collision. In and of it...self, would’ve been traumatic to anyone. To Ryan, and, ultimately Tom and I (on the other side of his SOS call), it was devastating. The kind of rip-your-heart-out-of-your-chest-while-you’re-still-breathing kind.
They were at the off-ramp to enter Airdrie, in a lineup of stationary vehicles. When, all of a sudden, they were rear-ended. The impact from the vehicle behind (a half-ton), was so jarring and robust that it threw him from his wheelchair, to the floor.
More than that, it caused his severe PTSD to run to overtime. Transporting him back to April 6th. With this acute memory in his head, along with a million other thoughts, he called his Dad. Tom picked up on speaker phone.
I don’t remember the exact conversation, as my mind headed into panic mode. In my defense, when your child is crying and apoplectic, with his mind on his teammates, and screaming ‘please live’ ~ Tom was the most helpful parent that night. And this wasn’t April 6th, this was November. My nightmare began again.
I know what I’m going through, in my heart and mind. I can’t begin to imagine what Ryan and his boys are going through. They are strong, young, strapping kids, with beautiful futures to be lived for their brother’s, coaches and Dayna. But, damn. My mum always said, nobody gets out alive. Always true, but these boys will do great things, absolutely.
That said, I don’t ever want to hear another call from any of our kids, like that one. Please, people, pay attention. Drive to the conditions. Follow the signals, signs, and notices. There is no prize for getting there first. Stay the fuck off your phone. Whatever it takes. Never make another family go through this absolute HELL. Please.