Running For His Life ; June Issue 2008

Ryan Farrington was born a normal kid until things started to change when he was about five or six. His legs did not function as well, bringing him pain and discomfort. Doctors found out that Ryan was suffering from a crippling disease. Often, a relapse would strike and Ryan would be in such a painful state that even walking on his own was difficult. When such a situation happens, Ryan would be sent to the hospital and doctors will put him on a morphine drip, knocking him out and deaden the pain. Little Ryan screams for his mum for help. As his mum came to his aid, Ryan was lying on the floor struggling in a pain attack. However, the doctors were helpless and could barely improve Ryan's condition but put him a morphine drop. Finally, specialists confirmed Ryan with a rare condition similar to Parkinson's disease - Dystonia. Facing the grim situation, Ryan had no cure for the dystonia he was suffering from. As he got older, the condition worsens, causing him frequent falls. At the same time, his jaws would lock and Ryan would barely be able to speak a word. As his condition got worse day by day, Ryan was left with one option, to numb his nerves which will cause him to be confined to a wheelchair afterwards. At a young age, Ryan was persistent about leading a normal life and he refused to use the wheelchair. However, the disease was relentless and sometimes Ryan would end up having to use the wheelchair.
Then, in year 2002, Ryan entered the rehabilitation centre, now 13. He first mastered the balance board, then holding the rails of a treadmill, and is even to jog after months of trying.


Frank Gardner, a coach for boys and girls in the introductory athletics at Birmingham athletics club. He noticed Ryan, then 15, and was impressed with his raw talent and willingness to practice. Even though he lacked the technique, but the was fast. Over the years, Ryan learnt to manage his pain, to cover and hide the side effects of dystonia. Ryan's persistency saved his life. He is now one of Britain's top ten sprinter for his age group. Taking part in many competitions, Ryan now runs like a champion, believing that he the disease was not an obstacle to his running career and is confident in achieving more medals!

I feel that Ryan's story has amazed me greatly. Facing with what's unpredictable ahead of him, Ryan does not give up in life. His actions, words and belief shows the strong will and resilience within him. As a young boy, yet still optimistic about his life, it is not an simple as said. In today's world, there are many people who face situations like Ryan, some even whose condition are less major compared to Ryan's, fail to see the meaning of life. Even adults, who give up in life because they are sick. However, Ryan is determined to carry on and put aside the setbacks. If Ryan was able to do it, why can't others do the same?

I personally feel that Ryan is very brave and his strong-headedness in whatever he does or wants has led him to his success. If he had given in the doctor's suggestion, probably he would just be an ordinary patient feeding on medicine and being put on drip every now and then. Perhaps he would be lying in the hospital bed right now, waiting for his time to go. Also, From this article, Ryan's parents had too contributed to Ryan's success today. His father and uncles helped to spend time playing with Ryan, without treating him differently. They played rough-and-tumble game of football, and constantly urge him to be better, instilling in Ryan's mind that he can be the same as every kid. It helps Ryan delete the thought that football and other sport activities was what he cannot do. His mum, Lisa, did not stop her son from what he wants, giving him the support and trust in what he wants to do. It was also his mum, who was constantly there to help him during his falls. Without his mum, no one would be able to be there to save him if he fell from the stirs during a pain attack.

Of course, Samantha, the physiotherapist, and his coach Frank Gardner, had been his pillar of support too. Samantha, with her urging and pushing to try the impossible during Ryan's therapy session helped Ryan to discover that he was able to run and run normally. Frank exposed Ryan to the world and nurtured him to what he is today.

In conclusion, we should never give up in what we do even if you physical body does not allow you to, for nothing is impossible, in Ryan's case. I think that Ryan is a very good role model to the society, to prove that determination always pays off. We should learn Ryan's qualities and apply to our daily life. If a sick can do it, why not us, abled people? So after knowing about Ryan, let us all strive to be better each day, and always remember the people around us!