RD reflection (June issue): Run, Ryan,Run

Ryan is a very strong man, Upon knowing that he has contracted dystonia, he did not give up on himself. His disease was severe, it affected almost all parts of his body. The worst thing is that the disease would worsen as he grows older. The spasms became so frequent that he had his own permanent bed in the hospital.

I personally would not be able to accept the fact that i contracted a disease that would affect my mobility. All small children would love to run about everywhere. If i was him, i would be very depressed and envy of the children around my age. Children love to play with their friends in the playground or at the park. They would usually play until the sun sets and still unwilling to go home.

I cannot imagine my childhood spent in the hospital. I am very lucky as my childhood was filled with fun, joy and laughter. As a small girl, being able to play in the park with my parents is already a bliss to me. I am a very active person and cannot stand sitting down doing nothing. Hence, I would be very envy of the kids if I am in Ryan’s shoes.

Childhood are usually spend playing catching, hide and seek and much more activities that require us to run. Ryan would not be able to do that due to his illness. He must have felt so terrible every time he passes the park or playground. The laughter of the children would make him even more depressed. I pity him yet admire him on the other hand.

He is a very strong person that did not complain about his illness at all. If it was me, i would have complained how life can be so unfair. Why other kids can be running around happily yet i have to stay in the hospital? Why do i have to be the unlucky one to contract this disease? However, he did not complain even once.

He refused to inject painkiller into his spine though it will stop the pain. He wants to walk like any other people and did not want to be confined into a wheelchair. He is very determined and wants everyone else to treat him like any other normal person and not a sick one. He tries very hard to be like a normal person and hides his pain as he did not want to be forced out of school.

To his surprise, during one of the physiotherapy, he found out that he can run almost normally and his pain begins to disappear. Ryan pick himself up again and again and is very determined to continue running.

He is very willing to practice and thankfully, a new medicine helped to manage his pain which enables him to become a runner. He was so fast that no one believes him when they knew he was sick.

I reckoned the reason why he did not want his team mates to know his disease is because he wanted to be treated like a normal person. He did not want special treatment just because of his illness.

He still continues to run till today. Though he is sick, he did nt give up and fall into despair. I admire him for his determination and willingness to learn. As a sports player myself, whenever i want to give up, I would remind myself of him. He is a role model to all sports player.

Desiree Tan(6)
3F