June 2008 .

Summary:
This is a real life story of a victim of dystonia, a rare condition similar to Parkinson’s disease. Ryan Farrington contracted dystonia since he was five or six but was later confirm when he was seven. Ryan would occasionally fall to the floor and scream, terrifying his mother, Lisa Farrington. Ryan would be sent to hospital and would then be put on a morphine drip to make him unconscious and deaden the pain.
When he was seven, another attack came but was different from the past attacks. Ryan was laying face down on the ground, violent spasms wrenching his back. The doctors could only help him by putting him on a morphine drip. A specialist then confirmed him of having dystonia, a disease which its symptoms are still unknown. Ryan’s dystonia worsen as he grew older and falling became so frequent that he had his own permanent bed in Walsall’s Manor hospital.
One autumn, the doctor explained their options after showing them pictures of patients with severe “torsion” dystonia who had symptoms similar to cerebral palsy and suggested Ryan to go for an operation to remove his legs. It would mean that Ryan would be confined to a wheelchair. But he refused.
During the summer of 2002, when Ryan was 13, due to a bad attack he stayed in the hospital for two months. Everyday he has worked with Samantha Butts, a physiotherapist in the hospital. He then discovered his ability to run. He felt no pain while he was running. He joined the famed Birmingham athletics club Birch field Harriers. Frank Gardner became Ryan’s coach. Even though he suffered dystonia, he won several races and is now preparing for the London summer Olympics.

Reflection:
Ryan is very courageous. I find that his determination is very amazing. In spite of the fact that the dystonia is causing a lot of pain, he refuses to remove his legs. He had cause a lot of troubles to people and himself but he never once thought about giving up. He set a good example to patients who are suffering from diseases and those who are bedridden. I learn that we should not give up on ourselves when we have difficulties and we should try to solve it. Friends and family members should encourage and support each other in such times. There are no problems that could not be solved; therefore we must not try to escape from the problem as escaping would not change the fact of the existence of the problem. Ryan found a solution to his problem, so can we.