Sometimes there’s just not enough time to tell a story on TV. Case in point, the story of Ryan Poteet.

He’s the Western Branch High School student with the “Mystery Diagnosis”. In case you missed the story on TV, Ryan has something called Hadju Cheney Syndrome. He is one of less then 100 people in the world ever to get the diagnosis. It affects his bone shape, growth, heart, kidneys, hearing and speech. Doctors didn’t know if he’d ever walk. He now break dances at school talent shows. He is very small for his age (16 years old and only about four and a half feet tall) but has a big spirit. He writes christian poems and lyrics. What I did not have time to talk about on TV is all of the daily struggles he faces.

Ryan has to leave class five minutes before everyone else because his S – shaped legs don’t move as quickly as most. He has trouble reaching books in his locker because of his short stature. He takes medicine for high blood pressure, osteoporosis and he takes growth hormones. Ryan had to wear a neck brace for three years after neck surgery so his spine wouldn’t collapse. The thing is he does it all with a smile.

Ryan is the most positive young man. He plans to go to college and become a web designer. He wants to make enough money to one day care for his Mom who has spent all her money and energy caring for him.

You can read some of his poems and hear the lyrics of a song he wrote (which his church choir put to music) plus learn more about Hadju Cheney on a website Ryan’s Mom created. Here’s the link

http://www.hajdu-cheney.com/Ryan.html