Willo will soon have a new neighbor. Construction is set to begin this month on "Ryan House", on land donated by St. Joseph's hospital, south of Park Central.

Ryan House is inspired by the story of the Cottor family. Jonathan and Holly Cottor were living in London with their two sons in 2001 when their son Ryan was diagnosed with Spinal Muscular Atrophy Type I-II, a degenerative neurological disorder. With no family support system close by and feeling overwhelmed by their situation, the family took Ryan to Helen House in London, the first children's palliative care home in the world. Helen House allowed the Cottor family to experience the value of family-focused respite care and the proper support services to manage coping with Ryan's diagnosis and care needs.

Upon returning to Arizona in 2003, the Cottors were committed to establishing a children's palliative care program to allow Arizona families to experience the care and support they received at Helen House. In 2004, Ryan House, an Arizona 501 (c)(3) non profit organization was established. Ryan House brought a Board of Directors together and, in 2006, hired an Executive Director to help develop the vision of Ryan House. The team of community leaders also partnered with Hospice of the Valley to make the pioneering concept of Ryan House into a reality in Arizona.

When complete, Ryan House will serve as the only respite and support home for children in the state of Arizona and the southwest. The facility will be an eight-bed pediatric healthcare resource providing quality short-term respite and palliative care - typically given in the homes of the families - as well as appropriate therapies, activities and support to children with life-limiting conditions and their families. Ryan House will also offer family-focused activities including art, pet and music therapy, massage therapy, advocacy, consultation and emotional and spiritual support. These children and their families deserve an opportunity to focus on being families and living live to its fullest.

The House will be a Willo neighbor. Centrally located on the northwest corner of Merrell Street and First Avenue, north of Thomas Road in downtown Phoenix. There will be no fees charged to families who use the services provided by Ryan House.

Currently, Ryan House is in the midst of a Valley-wide fundraising program. The official "ground breaking" will take place on Wednesday, April 23rd, on Ryan Cottor's birthday, with construction beginning soon after. We are lucky to have such a wonderful facility in our community that will answer the prayers of so many families. Look for the completion/opening of Ryan House in mid- 2009.

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