Ryan Derenburger of Collierville was born in 1994 with a lot of health problems. Profound mental retardation, cerebral palsy, autism and seizure disorders. In 2003, he was diagnosed with a rare terminal brain disease. Ryan’s mother Corinne wasn’t going to give up on her little boy. In December of 2003, she founded Ryan’s Hope for Family and Friends. She saw and experienced for herself how difficult it is for families of exceptional needs children to get help. She wanted to make a change.

“There was always so much fragmentation in our social services it was nearly impossible to get agencies and other organizations working together, let alone provide quality services to families and individuals,” explains Derenburger. “Our goal has been to bridge the gap between competing agencies so that we are all on home team reaching the masses with our resources.”

Ryan’s Hope is a non-profit organization which provides support, relief and recreation for families of exceptional needs children regardless of the child’s age. Counselors use specifically trained horses as part of the physical and mental therapy.

“It’s our goal to bring hope to these families, improve their quality of life and keep their families together,” says Derenburger.

Ryan’s Hope is the only local charitable organization offering these services without state funding. It relies on the generosity of the communities in which the families live. On Friday, August 25 th Mid-Southerners can help by taking part in the 3 rd annual Ryan’s Hope 5K/1 Mile Fun Run at WC Johnson Park in Collierville beginning at 6 p.m.

Ryan’s Hope has already provided more than 3000 hours of respite, more 1000 hours of equine therapy services and recreational opportunity to 80 families per day. On top of that the agency has sent hundreds of special children to summer camp.

The town of Collierville and Ryan's Hope are working on a joint effort to provide this universally accessible playground area at W.C. Johnson Park. The playground area will be totally inclusive: a wheelchair ramp throughout structure, inclusive and typical swings, inclusive basketball goals, picnic tables and much more. The  groundbreaking is scheduled for Friday, August 25th at 9:30 a.m.

Derenburger admits she’s had some tough times, but she’s not willing to give up hope for Ryan or other children like him.

“I am a regular person who is just trying to make a positive change in our fragmented communities. It is therapeutic for me to help others. There are days when I want to quit and that's when someone says thank you for what you are doing for us and this community. It makes all the suffering, pain and disappointment worth it.”

Appeared in:

• Appearances on WREG Live @ 9 & Fox 13 Good Morning Memphis
• Memphis Woman Magazine
• Shelby Sun Times
• Collierville Herald
• Commercial Appeal & website