Halie Wetherington
reporter@greenepublishing.com
Ryder Cole is an eight-year-old animal-loving cowboy, who has also had several trials and obstacles throughout his life. Born as a micro-preemie and weighing just over one pound, he spent his first three years of life in the hospital due to several health conditions, including a tracheostomy (tube in the throat) and cerebral palsy. After losing both of his parents, his grandparents, Ron and Cindi Cole, stepped in and took him under their care, as well as legally adopting him. During his younger stages of life, doctors were expecting Ryder to be unable to walk on his own as well as unable to talk. Today, he is walking without assistance from anything but his lower leg braces and talking over his tracheostomy.
Ryder has had approximately 80 procedures and surgeries throughout his life, with more to come. However, his grandmother, Cindi Cole, has been in awe of his resilience and strength, as well as his enthusiasm. Ryder began taking horse-riding lessons at the Beaty Ranch, located at 1341 NW County Road 150, in Cherry Lake, which has been life-changing for him. Through the help of teacher Emily Beaty, Ryder has continued to grow in health, both mentally and physically and benefitted greatly from equestrian therapy. His horse, Lexy, was gifted to him by one of his previous night nurses and has allowed him to fulfill his role as a true cowboy. He loves working with Lexy so much that he has decided he will choose the large animal veterinarian career in the future.
“Hats off to Emily,” stated Cindi. “She has brought Ryder so far in a world where most people would turn him away because of his obstacles.” Obstacles that Ryder has not only gotten past, but soared through. In the coming weeks, he will be traveling 800 miles to Cincinnati Children's Hospital for his first visit to see about getting his tracheostomy removed, which will allow him to eat like everyone else.
“He always wants to do things like everyone else, and we let him try as best we can. There are several things that he can now do normally because of that and because of the equestrian therapy,” stated Cindi. In Cincinnati, a team of 10 doctors will come together to devise a plan to remove the tracheostomy, which will begin with several small surgeries in order to prepare him for the major surgery where the cleft causing the aspiration will be repaired. Ryder is thrilled to have this opportunity.
“We are so grateful to be a part of this beautiful community and town,” stated Cindi. In preparation for the trip, community members assisted in holding a raffle, with the two winners receiving half of a hog. A GoFundMe account has also been set up to help the family with the expense of this upcoming adventure, which you can donate to by visiting https://www.gofundme.com/f/ryders-trip-to-cincinnati-childrens-hospital.