Ryan Barbee
“I hope you know how much of a difference each and every dollar makes in the lives of those with Spinal Cord Injuries!”
Ryan Barbee, who sustained a C6 incomplete spinal cord injury on February 5, 2022, while skiing at his home mountain, Crystal Mountain Resort, wants to express his heartfelt gratitude to the Be Perfect Foundation for the invaluable support they've provided. Ryan's injury occurred when he went off a second jump with excessive speed, resulting in a broken C6 vertebra and a compound fracture of his left tib/fib. He was swiftly transported to Harborview Medical Center via helicopter, where he underwent three surgeries, stayed in the ICU, and completed his rehabilitation.
The Be Perfect Foundation has played a crucial role in helping Ryan regain his independence and maintain an active lifestyle. The foundation generously awarded him a $2,000 grant to contribute toward obtaining a new, custom wheelchair. His current wheelchair is ill-suited for his needs, with several dysfunctional components that cause frequent delays and inconvenience. Unfortunately, the wheelchair vendor affiliated with Ryan's insurance has made him endure up to four months of waiting for repairs, and insurance only covers a new basic wheelchair every five years. The new wheelchair, tailored to his body, will offer better support, be lighter and more dynamic, and feature a special braking system called D's Locks, knobby mountain bike tires, and a footplate to protect his feet during muscle spasms. This new chair will enhance efficiency and ease in many aspects of Ryan's life, liberating him from the limitations imposed by his current wheelchair.
Be Perfect has restored hope in Ryan's life by providing essential support for those with permanent, life-changing injuries often overlooked by our healthcare system. Relying on health insurance can be daunting, especially for those who are unemployed or on Medicaid. Without organizations like the Be Perfect Foundation, Ryan would have had to wait an additional 3.5 years for a new wheelchair, and the chair he is now receiving wouldn't even be considered by his insurance.
Ryan has already achieved numerous goals, including living independently, returning to full-time work, obtaining his new driver's license and an adapted car, and maintaining a rigorous CrossFit routine five days a week while fine-tuning routines that best suit his body.
Looking ahead, Ryan has ambitious future goals, particularly related to pushing certain distances on specific routes in Seattle. His new wheelchair will be instrumental in achieving outdoor recreational goals by offering better handling on rough terrain, and providing easier access to unpaved paths, grass, dirt, and the occasional step.
In closing, Ryan wants donors to know the profound difference each and every dollar makes in the lives of individuals with spinal cord injuries. His heartfelt thank you is a testament to the life-changing impact of their support and generosity.