Four years ago, Ryan Diviney and three friends were leaving a WVU game on foot. Leaving the same game was a gang of rowdy and drunken men who were looking for a fight. At the time Ryan was full of optimism and looking forward to “the best years of his life” and, maybe one day, a career in politics.
The group surrounded Ryan and his friends, who tried in vain to defuse a situation that was rapidly and unnecessarily becoming violent. Ryan, who had his hands in the air to show he did not want any trouble, was punched and knocked to the ground. What happened next would forever alter the lives of everyone involved. Austin Vantrease, part of the gang of drunks, kicked Ryan in his head repeatedly, leaving him unconscious and laying in the street bleeding from his ears.
As a result of the attack, Ryan was left in a coma and will never regain consciousness. His father gave up his career to provide Ryan with the 24-hour care he required. With Ryan’s care came a hospital bed, medical equipment and boxes of tubes, gloves, gowns and anything else you might find in a hospital room. Ryan’s large hospital bed was crammed into a sitting room on the middle level of a three-story home. The situation was not ideal for the family living in the home and those trying to provide Ryan with the best care possible.
Nearly six months after leaving the hospital, Ryan was still in the sitting room of his family’s home. One of the greatest difficulties faced by Ryan’s parents was giving him a shower; because of his size and location, Ryan had not showered in more than six months since returning from the hospital. The Michael & Son Services Cares Team, along with their friends, helped transform the Divineys' basement and make it possible to shower every day. Check out the latest full episode of Helping Hands below to see the transformation for yourself.
If you or someone you know is currently facing a hardship and is unable to afford home repairs, please contact the Michael & Son Cares Team. Michael & Son Services established their "Cares" charitable campaign in 2010, providing essential home services to local families in need. To date, the program has assisted more than 20 families in the area. They are also proud sponsors and supporters of Dreams for kids, Saltwater Soldiers and Susan G. Komen. Michael & Son Services has been serving the greater DC metropolitan area for over 30 years with electrical, plumbing, heating, A/C, construction and handyman services. Our motto has always been, “If you can’t, we can!” Check us out at Michaelandson.com.
