Ryan's Story

Ryan
Age 5
Kidney Transplant

Le Bonheur Children’s Medical Center

Ryan was literally lifeless at birth. On the Apgar 10-point scale—which measures respiration, heart rate, muscle tone, color and reflex response—Ryan was a zero. He was barely alive. Five minutes after birth he was still at zero. Ryan was transported to Le Bonheur Children’s Medical Center where he could receive the kind of sub-specialty care he needed. His health immediately began to improve, but physicians discovered Ryan’s kidneys were severely damaged and he would eventually need a transplant. After four weeks in the hospital, Ryan was sent home with nine different medications.

Ryan spent the next few years developing into a spirited little boy full of adventure. “Ryan appeared as a normal playful little boy, but his disease was a time bomb,” said one of his doctors. When he turned 3-years-old, Ryan’s kidney function had dropped to 13 percent. A transplant was his only chance of survival.

Luckily, Ryan’s father was able to donate his kidney. The transplant was successful and Ryan, a fighter in every way, fully recovered.

Though he will be on anti-rejection medication for the rest of his life, Ryan, now 5, is living life to its fullest and inspiring everyone he encounters to do the same.