I have always been someone who genuinely adores kids. They are our next generation, and they are also a product of their environment. Needless to say, the tiny humans are very important! I encourage you to sit and have a conversation with a little one, ask them questions and let them blow your mind with how intelligent and hilarious they truly are! Especially since their brains are like little sponges. I originally wanted to create a career with kids, I mainly wanted to become a pediatrician and help kids around the world, and maybe one day I still will. I’ve had a few different jobs working with kids and used to volunteer at Phoenix Children’s Hospital. When I heard about Ryan House this year, I was immediately drawn to this amazing non-profit organization for so many reasons! I decided I wanted to figure out a way to help in some way whether it be with my time or even money. For my blog launch, I asked each person to bring at least one toy in for me to donate to kids in need. I’m so thankful to have taken in 4 huge bags filled with toys to Ryan House! I decided to do a short post about Ryan House to share this amazing non-profit with you all.
Here’s some information about Ryan House:
Imagine thinking your little one is a late bloomer, developing slower than usual but later you find out he or she is diagnosed with something you’ve never even heard of before. What do you do? Who do you turn to for advice and help? That’s pretty much what happened to Ryan’s family. Ryan and his family were living in England when they realized Ryan was not a “late-bloomer”. He was diagnosed with Spinal Muscular Atrophy which is caused by a loss of motor neurons creating “weakness and wasting” of skeletal muscles. This gradually worsens with age, and he was not expected to live past 2 years old. When his family found out, they were devastated! They were referred to Helen House, in Oxford, England, which is very similar to Ryan House, offering hospice and respite care for families. It allows families to prepare for end-of-life, offers a support system of experts and experienced families, and helps educate families on different cases.
*As a side note, hospice care is for terminally-ill patients who are preparing for end of life and respite care is temporary care for patients.
They were very skeptical at first about Helen House but after becoming restless and afraid, they decided to give it a chance. They were beyond happy with the outcome and when Ryan and his family came back to Arizona, there were no homes like Helen’s in the U.S.! So, in August 2004 they created Ryan House which is the very first one to exist in America with the help of Vitalyst Health Foundation, Hospice of the Valley, community leaders, and friends & family. Ryan beat the odds and lived until 18!
When I was finally able to drop off toys at Ryan House, I got to learn more about the home. The first floor is for children up to age 18 and the second floor is for adults. I was able to tour the pediatric floor and I was amazed by this place! Everything is created with the kids in mind. The rooms are painted colorfully to give the kids a feel of being at home and the doors are wide enough to fit all beds out to the playground which I loved! Ryan House is amazing in all aspects, no kids will feel left behind.
There are several different rooms throughout the home including a sensory room called The Sensory Tent, music room, arts and crafts room, a Multimedia room with a theatre called Story Of Me, and an indoor pool! The hydrotherapy pool was so fascinating because it has different features even for kids in wheelchairs or who may bedridden. It’s heated and allows kids to move and swim when they may have never experienced pool time before.
A few other features that I loved were the Memorial Garden for peace of mind because it includes a beautiful tile wall that is dedicated to past children’s lives and they’re all made by a child’s grandma who passed as well. There is also a Family Room, a large playroom, and a kitchen called the S’mores Cafe that has refrigerated drawers for each kid’s specific dietary needs. This home was designed with every issue in mind and the most amazing part is that it’s a non-profit and is supported by donations!
Another amazing thing that Ryan House offers is booking a stay at no cost where their children are under great care! This means parents are able to take vacations with their other kids or even allows for personal days for parents and caretakers with no fear or guilt. Also, I learned that some little ones book stays with their friends so they can have sleepovers while still under medical supervision, which totally melted my heart. The home also has a family suite that families can book so it feels like home. Parents are provided all toiletries and food for their stay so they can be right across the hall from their baby and still feel at ease, just like you would at home.
Whether you want to volunteer or donate, have a situation of your own that you need help with, or would like to refer someone, Ryan House is open to the public and made for easing stress on those in need. A very special thank you to Erin Furnish who has helped me throughout my launch, toy drive, and tour process and to all who have supported Ryan House through my launch or otherwise.
Need to book a stay? Go here.