OFFICIALKIDSMAG.COM
KID
HEROES
Finally, the treatment ended, and Ryan
and his family celebrated with an end-of-
chemo party held at . . . where else?
"Chick Fil-A. They should have made
me their poster child."
But that wasn't all. Make a Wish Dream
Foundation granted Ryan a wish to reward
him for completing treatment. "I went
to Disneyworld in Florida. It was great."
What does Ryan remember about Disney?
"The bunk beds and the bear."
As we said, Ryan never does or says
what's expected! In other words, he's extraordinary.
In the fourth grade, "I fell in love with poems. I
read every day and write stories. I'm reading a
book now called 'Spilling Ink: A Young Writer's
Handbook'. It helps me when I don't feel
inspired to write." He also likes drama, football
and basketball.
Ryan helps at home with recycling and
volunteers at the Boys & Girls Club in
Fayetteville. "One year we wrote letters to
firemen, and we went to nursing homes
and sang Christmas songs. I was treasurer
of the club" (K Kids, for Kiwanis). "A few
weeks ago, I put up pinwheels to draw
attention to Child Abuse Prevention Month
in April.
He has a message for kids everywhere:
"Help others, no matter what. You don't
know what other people's situation is. You
should always help and be kind."
January was kind to Ryan. That's when he
celebrated his five-year anniversary and was
declared cancer free. "Now we only have to go
back to the hospital once a year. Yes!"
16 • Off icialKidsMag.com JUNE 2019
