Ryan struggled to express himself. Words did not come easily, and he often felt misunderstood. When he arrived at YBGR, he didn’t think it was going to be any different than any other facility he had been to, but that all started to change when he met Yellowstone Academy Art teacher Mr. Small.
“I had never really taken an art class and wasn’t even very interested in art, but I had to have an elective, so I took the class. I learned that I could use art to express how I was feeling, even when I didn’t have the right words. My therapist got me a sketchbook so I could draw my thoughts and feelings, and then she helped me put words to the images. Things started to make sense, and I was able to start connecting with people,” says Ryan. “I was so excited to show my parents the art I had done when they came for a visit. They were so proud!”
Ryan continued to progress through his treatment and amassed a large collection of art pieces. “We brought our son with one suitcase and are taking him home with a car packed with pottery, paintings, and so many drawings. It is amazing to see how much he has grown and learned to create. He is such a different kid today than the one we dropped off six months ago, so full of hope and joy. We can never thank Mr. Small and YBGR enough for what they did for our son!” reports Mark, Ryan’s dad.
*For the privacy of the youth served at the Ranch, names have been changed. Image(s) shown here are a representation of those served at the Ranch.
