Ryan Osterblom.
Posted on 06/07/2004 2:11:33 AM PDT by JohnHuang2
ORLANDO - (AP) -- When Ryan Osterblom was dying of liver disease as a toddler, then-President Reagan came to his aid.
In early 1985, Osterblom was hospitalized in Gainesville, facing death because no liver that matched his rare blood type could be found.
But Reagan, at the urging of then-U.S. Rep. Bill Nelson, publicized the boy's situation and instructed a member of his Cabinet to help find a liver for Ryan. In April of that year, 16-month-old Ryan received a new liver of a different blood type.
Reagan, who died Saturday at age 93, was remembered by Osterblom's mother as a kind and gentle man.
''I didn't expect it,'' said Karen Osterblom from her home in Indialantic. ``I owe my son's life to him.''
Ryan, at 20, is a recent graduate of Satellite High School, with a 3.5 grade-point average. Health problems have held him back, but he plans to attend Brevard Community College in August. His goal is to attend the University of Florida and maybe become a surgeon.
''I don't know him personally, but I feel a connection,'' Ryan Osterblom told The Orlando Sentinel. ``If not for him, I wouldn't be here.''
Karen Osterblom later sent President Reagan and first lady Nancy Reagan a thank-you letter. In return, the family received pictures of Reagan and his wife at their California ranch.
In 1987, Reagan met 3-year-old Ryan and his family in Melbourne.
The charismatic Reagan, who was an actor before he became president, died in his Los Angeles home alongside his wife and their children. A family representative said Reagan died from pneumonia complicated by Alzheimer's disease.
Gov. Jeb Bush, who ordered flags on state property to fly at half-staff, said Reagan ``showed the world the light of freedom and we are all better for it.''
U.S. Sen. Bob Graham, D-Florida, said Reagan was ``a man who changed history.''
''He was a generous, considerate man whose strength of personality drew people to him,'' Graham said.
There are probably hundreds of stories similar to this about Reagan.
Ping...
Ping...
Oh man, I'm crying again. But thank you very much for posting!
Oh man, I'm crying again. But thank you very much for posting!Oh, yeah. Thanks, JohnHuang2 ! .....
I remember reading many years ago about how Reagan wrote a great number of personal letters to people, offering sympathy or congratulations, or whatever. He never publicized it -- it wasn't about that. Although he obviously couldn't write to everybody, he did care about people, and that was his way of showing it.
Bump.
But..but...this can't be. I never heard Brokejaw or Blather tell me this on TV. /sarc
[And I'm sure we never will...]
God bless you President Reagan. Your spirit will live on..
I remember a story from the late sixties when he was Governor of California about how he jumped into a swimming pool to pull some kid out. Went in suit and all.
Wish I had a source to quote. Just something that popped in my addled brain.
Ping. Did you see this already?
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