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Ryan McLean, Cherry Creek High School teacher, answers questions from Summit Cove Elementary School fourth-graders, Cait McCluskie, Benji Torruco and Davide Rocha Reyes during a recent visit to the school. She spoke about her life as a paraplegic since she was injured in a car accident in 1997.
SUMMIT COVE — When asked about her hero, Summit Cove Elementary School fourth-grader Cait McCluskie thought of her cousin.
Ryan McLean, 27, is a Cherry Creek High School teacher. She is athletic and helped build a house for a family in Paraguay. She also raises awareness for teenage driving safety — something that personally impacted her life.
About 10 years ago, McLean became paralyzed in a car accident.
“I would explain Ryan as being kind, brave, amazing, protective, mentally strong, physically strong. ... Ryan has accomplished so many things that I can’t list them all,” Cait wrote in her essay “An Unexpected Hero.”
Now, McLean is becoming a pioneer for stem cell treatment and working to spread awareness, education. This summer, she will be traveling to India to pursue the treatment and is working to raise $25,000 to make it happen.
“My hopes to walk again are small, partially because I don’t want to be let down, but also because I have grown into the life that I now lead and I am proud of it,” McLean wrote an online blog about her journey. “The ability to walk does not and will never define me.”
However, she is hoping the treatment will help her maintain her health. Often, people with spinal cord injuries have shorter life spans than the able-bodied, she explained in her blog.
Anyone who wants to read about her inspirational story or help her get to India, can check out ryanmcleanfund.blogspot.com.
Ryan McLean, 27, is a Cherry Creek High School teacher. She is athletic and helped build a house for a family in Paraguay. She also raises awareness for teenage driving safety — something that personally impacted her life.
About 10 years ago, McLean became paralyzed in a car accident.
“I would explain Ryan as being kind, brave, amazing, protective, mentally strong, physically strong. ... Ryan has accomplished so many things that I can’t list them all,” Cait wrote in her essay “An Unexpected Hero.”
Now, McLean is becoming a pioneer for stem cell treatment and working to spread awareness, education. This summer, she will be traveling to India to pursue the treatment and is working to raise $25,000 to make it happen.
“My hopes to walk again are small, partially because I don’t want to be let down, but also because I have grown into the life that I now lead and I am proud of it,” McLean wrote an online blog about her journey. “The ability to walk does not and will never define me.”
However, she is hoping the treatment will help her maintain her health. Often, people with spinal cord injuries have shorter life spans than the able-bodied, she explained in her blog.
Anyone who wants to read about her inspirational story or help her get to India, can check out ryanmcleanfund.blogspot.com.
