CMT is one of the 40 diseases covered by the MDA, but unlike muscular dystrophy, in which the defect is in the muscles, CMT is a disorder in which the defect is in the nerves that control the muscles.  Ryan was diagnosed with Charcot-Marie Tooth Syndrome in his teens, and really began to suffer the effects in his early 20's. Luckily he was able to play sports like golf and tennis, and was even able to run early on in his life, before he and his family noticed something wasn't right with his legs, hands, and feet as he began to have problems with normal functions like buttoning a shirt. CMT is not normally a life threatening disease, but in March of this year, Ryan had become extremely weak in his fight with CMT and had begun to get around with the help of a wheelchair. After taking in a Texas Tech Red Raider basketball game (his favorite college team), he felt ill and was taken to the hospital with severe stomach pains and found out his intestines had shut down. Ryan fought extremely hard with family and friends constantly by his side at Covenant Hospital in Lubbock for over a month, and lost his battle the day after his 36th birthday.

He was extremely respected by his peers at Clear Channel and by his many friends for his overwhelming talent and strength, and had the undying love of a very supportive family throughout his entire life.

Ryan's fight is not yet over though, as his beloved nephew Karsen also currently suffers from a form of Muscular Dystrophy called Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD). Ryan was a big supporter of helping with MDA, not only because of his own disease, but mostly to help others, including and especially his nephew with their fight.

Ryan & Karsen


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