In June, 2006, Ryan was in the process of transferring to the University of Northern Iowa (UNI) in Cedar Falls (Iowa) where he planned to become a double major in TESOL (Teaching English to Speaker of Other Languages) and Spanish. Plus he wanted to earn credits towards a teaching degree.

He and his dad went to orientation and after registration, Ryan was so excited that he raced from building to building to see where he would be taking his classes.

Ryan knew where he wanted to be and what he needed to do to get there. What Ryan didn't know was that in a few weeks he would be in an intensive care unit (ICU) with his parents yelling at him to keep breathing.

Mom hold Ryan's hand

Ryan had contracted a deadly bacterium (Streptococcus Milleri) that invaded his brain. His plans looked doubtful as he battled to stay alive.

During the first two weeks in a Des Moines ICU, Ryan had implants placed into his brain to relieve pressure, but he lost ground as the bacterium (Streptococcus Milleri) fought off the best antibiotics that were available.

He almost died SEVERAL times – once prior to emergency surgery, as his parents stood watching doctors and staff struggling to revive him. While he still had enough strength, the decision was made to transport him to the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, where he almost died again on the way to Iowa City.