Local man paralyzed from car crash finally makes it home

past year and a half — ryan stevensen. a hit and run driver nearly ended his life in the summer of 20-15. as 47 abc’s dani bozzini explains — the road to recovery has been long and painful — but now it’s a time to celebrate. track one ryan stevenson is now home. 21:31:22 being here is very sentimental and symbolic to me because i was on my way here when the accident happened so actually being here is great for me 21:31:32 track two in july 2015 — stevenson was driving on route 50 — when he was hit by a drunk driver — going almost 100 miles an hour. the impact left ryan paralyzed from the shoulders down. 481 days that’s how many consecutive days ryan stevenson spent either in the hospital or nursing home. but — last friday — he made it back. something his family has been waiting for — for a long time 21:32:50spending birthdays in the hospital last christmas in the hospital thanksgiving in the hospital you know it just we thought he would be home last christmas and it didn’t happen 21:33:00 21:33:10 to have him here for thanksgiving and for us to be able to come home to the table and sit here you know instead of him being in a facility 21:33:17 track three but it hasn’t been easy — his family has had to make some adjustments — everyone pitches into help — ryan’s sister can put him to bed by herself — and stevenson’s mom gave up her room — she now sleeps on the couch — but she tells 47 abc its nothing after everything he’s been through — and how positive he is — everyday 21:40:58 it blows my mind i would go to the nursing home and just be so down and out and i mean emotionally crying you know he’s cheering me up you know when he should be the one in the bed saying why me 21:41:15 track four it’s ryan’s positivity — that keeps his family in good spirits — talking with the family — there was so much laughter nat sound of laughing track five — rather than tears — and it doesn’t seem to waiver 21:33:31 our biggest issues are heat i like it cooler he likes it hotter he’s always cold and him waking me up at 3am for a poptart so you know so those are our two biggest adjustments but its been great 21:33:51 track six and for ryan — he passes the time doing what he did before the crash. running wicomico first alert — from his ipad — listening to police scanners all day. ryan keeps busy — and continues to convey strength and courage to anyone who has the pleasure of meeting him. 21:31:51 the story is troubling and it is sad but in all honesty i would have much rather had this injury happen to me than to somebody else because i feel like i can handle it more than somebody else can 21:32:07 track seven dani bozzini 47 abc. the family is still adjusting to having ryan home — but they could mpy be more grateful for the community’s help in making it possible. several donations have made it ryan-ready — from the handicap ramp built by habitat for humanity to the local construction company building in hardwood floors — and widening the doorways. the stevenson family says they are forever grateful.