By LISA CAPOBIANCO
STAFF WRITER
Ryan Silva of Bristol is known to his family as a joyful 9-year-old child who enjoys swimming, music, and bike riding when not attending ACES Village School in North Haven.
Diagnosed with cerebral palsy from the time he was a year old, Ryan, who is nonverbal and legally blind, has also suffered from epilepsy, experiencing up to 70 seizures per day in the past. Although his seizures are now under control, Ryan underwent major hip surgery this past spring.
Caused by abnormal brain development, cerebral palsy is a group of disorders that affects an individual’s ability to move and maintain balance and posture is the most common motor disability in childhood, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
“He enjoys music all day long if he could,” said Ryan’s mother, Cheryl Silva, adding how Ryan is recovering well from the surgery.
As Ryan has grown over the years, helping him move back and forth to the bathroom has become a challenge for the Silva family, as only the second floor of their home has a full bathroom. Through the fund raiser, the Silva family hopes to raise $75,000 to help cover costs for a full handicap bathroom on the first floor, as well as other accommodations for Ryan’s needs.
Christian Silva, Ryan’s father, ran a retail/fitness business for five years in the Farmington Valley area in order to support a home renovation for his son. After leaving that business, more was needed to help make more accommodations to his home for Ryan. After sending out various letters to different organizations, Christian said the Molly Ann Tango Memorial Foundation stepped up to support and host a fundraiser event, which will take place Nov. 7. Stanley Black & Decker also reached out to the Silva family as a lead sponsor of the event.
Proceeds of the event will benefit home renovations for Ryan.
Established in 2004, the foundation has helped more than 150 families with children throughout the eastern U.S. who have special needs by helping finance the purchase of medical equipment and services when insurance is exhausted and other social programs are unavailable, according to the non-profit’s website. The foundation also helps families find products and services that specifically fit their needs in the medical and social communities.
“In addition to his bathroom, we really need to make his bedroom substantially bigger, and we need storage space for him,” said Christian, adding how the foundation helped a family going through a similar situation in Farmington last year.
After all that Ryan has experienced, Christian and Cheryl said their son has not only taught them patience, but has also taught them about love, and not to take life for granted. Besides bringing his parents joy, Ryan also has received support from his older brother, who is currently a freshman at Bristol Eastern High School.
“It’s a different world—it just opens your eyes to all types of kids out there,” said Cheryl. “Connecting with parents who are going through the same thing I find very helpful.”
“Every family handles that situation differently,” said Christian, adding how seeing Ryan happy brings him joy. “We’re going to make the most of it.”
Ryan’s fund raiser will take place Friday, Nov. 7 from 6:30 to 11 p.m. at the Farmington Club. The event will feature a night of entertainment, including dinner and dancing, as well as a silent auction. The auction will feature a variety of items, including vacations, gift certificates to restaurants, fitness equipment, wine, concert tickets, and more.
Tickets cost $50 per person. To buy a ticket or to make a tax deductible donation, visit www.mollyanntango.org. To learn more about Ryan, visit www.youtube.com/watch?v=RurqxCvzOS8&feature=youtu.be.
A fund raiser for Ryan Silva, center, who has cerebral palsy, has been organized to retrofit his family’s house to make it more handicapped accessible.