"There are stars whose radiance is visible on Earth though they have long been extinct. There are people whose brilliance continues to light the world even though they are no longer among the living. These lights are particularly bright when the night is dark. They light the way for humankind."
~ Hannah Szenes
Ryan Norman Perry died on April 25, 2019 at the age of 22. Ryan suffered a major epileptic seizure and cardiac arrest in his sleep on April 19, 2019 and despite the heroic efforts of both the EMTs and the staff at Good Samaritan Hospital, Ryan never regained consciousness. The cause of death was Sudden Unexpected Death from Epilepsy (SUDEP).
Ryan was a beautiful boy with an incredible personality. He was a beaming light of sunshine who touched everyone he met with his infectious smile and compassion. The future looked bright for Ryan. He was a natural born leader with a rich social life, a knack for writing and a talented hockey player. He cared deeply for others and embodied team spirit on and off the ice.
Like all human beings, Ryan faced many challenges. Ryan struggled with anxiety and learning disabilities throughout his developmental years. This led to self-medication with drugs and alcohol. These years were marked by school failures and a tumultuous home life. He was subsequently diagnosed with epilepsy. Despite his parents’ best efforts and a decade of professional help, his journey led him to voluntary admission in a psychiatric hospital in November 2017.
Fortunately, Ryan had access to the types of help he needed. After graduating from a 12- month residential treatment program and then six months of sober living, Ryan moved to downtown Los Angles with another graduate of his sober living residence who quickly became a friend.
Sobriety gave Ryan the opportunity to pursue his passion, fashion. Ryan was working in his chosen field of fashion and marketing and looking forward to starting school at the Fashion Institute of Design and Marketing in June of 2019. His dreams were cut short.
LEARN MORE ABOUT SUDEP
SUDEP, a complication of Epilepsy is fatal and occurs suddenly without warning. SUDEP is rare – approximately 1 child out of 4,500 and 1 adult out of 1,000 who suffer from Epilepsy die of SUDEP each year. Understanding the risks of SUDEP is critically important and can potentially save lives.