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Fairview Lakes hospital and medical center is within sight of Quinlyn Ryan’s elementary school,  in Wyoming.  And, it wouldn’t be a stretch to imagine an adult arriving for work at the school, to be reminded daily of  the personal struggles facing patients just inside the medical center walls.  But, for a 7-year-old to realize that Fairview Lakes posed an opportunity to make this world a little better place, is remarkable.  

This summer, Quinlyn was talking excitedly about his upcoming birthday party and he surprised his mother Jessica with the idea that kids would bring gifts-- but he wanted to donate them to the young patients at Fairview.  

His mother said, “We explored the idea that there’s really nothing he needed and that we are very fortunate.

“As we brainstormed a few ideas Quinlyn decided he would love to have his friends buy toys for local children who were sick instead of buying toys for him.”

The Ryan family experience must have helped contribute to his mindset-- with his mom employed at a non-profit and his dad, Andy, serving as a firefighter.  His mother also credits Quinlyn’s first grade teacher at Wyoming Elementary who taught concepts like citizenship and being an active member of the broader community.

Of the visit to the hospital, “It was the most amazing experience,” Jessica continued. “The staff wanted to hear Quinlyn’s story directly from him, even some of the doctors said they heard about him and how great this is.  During that (visit) I think Quinlyn felt like he was a celebrity.”

John Herman, Fairview Medical Center President, commented that,  “Kids like Quinlyn are the reason Fairview is so proud to be part of this community. He and his family are to be congratulated and we are delighted to hand out the gifts to the children in our care, What an inspiration young Quinlyn is for us all.”

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