In a single moment, just the blink of an eye, any of our lives can be changed for ever.
In over 20 years of service and connecting businesses, Jay’s Valet has only asked for help from our friends and business partners once. Nearly 7 years ago now, Hurricane Katrina prompted us to request that support. In less than a week, your collective contributions came to nearly $15,000 being given back to the communities devastated most by Hurricane Katrina. That support allowed us to drive a 30 foot truck filled with food, water, clothing, and other goods that we were able to provide to numerous families in need. Your support is what made a huge difference in those family’s lives.
We are once again, seeking the kindness and support from our friends and business partners. As many of you have heard, one of Jay’s Valet’s team members was severely injured in an accident in November of this year.
From day one, Tyler Ryan has always taken the extra steps to make a difference in people’s lives, both at work and on his spare time. After 6 years of working with us, it is easy to say that Tyler portrays the meaning of making a difference. On November 9th of 2011, Tyler was driving home, when he observed a couple stranded on the side of the road with a flat tire. Being a Good Samaritan, Tyler didn’t think twice about turning around. What transpired would trigger a traumatic series of events that only tests Tyler’s tried and true spirit in one of the most unfathomable ways. As Tyler pulled the spare tire from the trunk, in the blink of an eye, Tyler’s life was changed for ever. An inattentive driver slammed into Tyler, crushing his lower body, pinning him between the two cars. Tyler underwent numerous surgeries which will forever transform his life. His lower body was so badly damaged, that it resulted in an above the knee amputation of his left leg; surgery to repair his right leg took rods in all major bones, and he also went through back surgery.
Tyler has triumphed through this traumatic experience. A tattoo Tyler got on his arm six months prior, stating “Keep Moving Forward” has truly created a trend that has transcended to an entirely new meaning in Tyler’s life and for those around him. Tyler was transferred to strength and conditioning therapy on December 5th, and on December 12th, he took a tremendous leap forward and took his first steps. Proving that his spirit is “tried and true,” in an interview with Oklahoma’s News9 reporter, regarding if he would do it all over again and stop to help, he stated, “I’d do it again a hundred times.” On December 23rd, Tyler was released from rehab, and got to go home for the first time since November 9th.
As triumphant his story is, Tyler still has a long struggle to go. He is not only suffering physically and emotionally, but also financially. This is why, after 20 plus years of service, and only asking for help to support the Hurricane Katrina victims, we once more request your kindness. As a company, we have financially contributed and plan on continuing support for Tyler for many years to come. With that in mind, Tyler can still use additional support. In just a single moment, Tyler’s life was changed for ever. A reminder to us all that life is fragile and can change in the blink of an eye.
There is also a fundraiser selling “Keep Moving Forward” bracelets and t-shirts. If you are interested, please let us know. Tim Tebow and John Lynch are already on the bandwagon to help support Tyler’s courageous fight. If you have been fortunate enough to meet Tyler, than you know he is generous, kindhearted, and always willing to bend over backwards for people. You also know that despite this tragic accident, none of that will change. If anything, this is a lesson to us all; that bad things can still happen to good people.
If you’d like to donate by check, please send checks to:
Jay’s Valet Parking
10065 E. Harvard Ave Suite 801
Denver, CO 80231
If you have any other contributions or well wishes, please refer to:
http://www.keep-moving-forward.com/
Link to News Video:
http://www.kfor.com/news/local/kfor-good-samaritan-loses-leg-helping-others-20111114,0,7197453.story
See Tyler take his first steps:
http://www.news9.com/story/16310220/okc-good-samaritan-injured-but-says-spirit-not-broken
