The Full Story

Prenatally, on November 3, 2011 at a routine 20 week ultrasound Ryker’s parents found out that their unborn baby boy (Ryker) had something seriously wrong with his heart. At that time although they knew there was something wrong, they had no idea how complex it actually was. At the second of many Doctor appointments Jason & Rachel were given the option to terminate the pregnancy, saying that their baby would not have quality of life. They instantly declined the option & continued with the pregnancy knowing their lives would be changed forever. After many appointments at Primary Children’s Hospital they had been given numerous different diagnosis’s none of which were entirely correct.

On March 7, 2012 at 8:23am our beautiful blue eyed boy entered this world. He was absolutely perfect in every way! Had we not found out that he had serious heart conditions prenatally, we would have never known.

Primary Children’s Hospital was terrified of Ryker. They had no idea how to help him and sent him home when he was 4 days old. When Ryker was 5 days old we flew him by air ambulance from Salt Lake City, Utah to Boston, Massachusetts so he could get the help he so desperately needed. Within the first 4 months of Ryker’s life he endured 4 open heart surgeries, by 5 months an intestinal surgery, by 6 months cardiac arrest & 3 days on ECMO, by 7 months we were given the horrifying news that Ryker had PVS. The hospital days turned into months & by 10 months old Ryker had faced numerous cardiac catheterizations & had been denied by the heart transplant team. Regardless of anything that this sweet boy went through, he still smiled! He was always the sweetest baby with the most amazing spirit & incredible eyes that spoke wonders!

Finally at 11 months old after 341 days in the hospital our sweet boy was discharged for his very first time. Unfortunately with this discharge came hospice care & we were told he had maybe 3-7 days left with us. Although we were in full denial & refused to believe what was really happening, we vowed as a family that every day would be cherished to the fullest. Ryker thrived at home! He was so happy & loved every single second! We were blessed enough to keep Ryker home with us for 8 full weeks before he gained his angel wings. It was the most incredible 8 weeks of our Family’s lives. We laughed, cried, prayed with our whole hearts & loved every single second together as a Family.

On April 26, 2013 at 9:46am Ryker left this world & returned to Heaven.

This is a day that not only our Family mourned, but tens of thousands of loving followers mourned. We believe that Ryker accomplished everything in his short little life that he was suppose to accomplish. He touched more lives than most can touch in 100 years.