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Keeping the Faith

Ryan 2016

Ryan

Smigiel

Submitted by:
Spencer Smigiel

My brother Ryan has been battling brain cancer since November 2014. He was doing well until last October when the cancer attacked his spinal cord and paralyzed him from the waist down. We were told in late October that his condition was terminal. Ryan is my big brother and hero. I was in my senior year in high school and this news was devastating. Would he be here to see me graduate? How will I go on without him? It was hard to focus on anything else. All I could do is pray for a miracle. Ryan is the strongest person I know – he didn’t give up and just kept fighting no matter what obstacles were thrown his way. With successful treatments and rehab soon he was standing up with assistance, then taking small sets, then walking with a walker. Truly a miracle!! He did survive to see me graduate and is still here with me today helping me transition into adulthood. I look to him for advice, strength, faith and determination. Ryan still has cancer and is still fighting everyday – it is hard to watch him go through treatments but hopefully in the end it will all be worth it. Keep fighting and don’t ever give up. Ryan inspires me to be a better person! Fight with Smeegz, my brother and my hero.