My Name is Ryan: A Family’s Story of Joy, Growth and Extraordinary Love
At its heart, Gerry Clarke’s new book My Name is Ryan is a love letter – a message from two parents, Gerry and Joyce, who want to share the joy, warmth and extraordinary love that has come from raising a child with Down Syndrome.
Built on the insights and personal notes of Ryan Clarke’s closest family and friends, My Name is Ryan puts Ryan – born with an extra copy of chromosome 21 – at the centre of the story, not for the first time.
Celebrating Ryan’s 40th birthday, My Name is Ryan is Gerry’s second book. His first, Ryan’s Rainbow, was released for Ryan’s 18th and captured the joy of watching him enter adulthood.
This new book, Gerry said, is the family’s way of showing that raising a child with a disability has been the greatest privilege of their lives.
“Ryan has given us far more than we have given him,” he said.
“He enriches our lives every day with his kindness, humour, joy and love.”
Both books trace significant chapters of Ryan’s extraordinary life – from childhood to adulthood – and capture the milestones, laughter and love that have shaped their world.
“Ryan’s Rainbow celebrated Ryan’s journey through childhood … My Name is Ryan celebrates his journey through adulthood, where he has gained greater independence and maturity,” Gerry said.
Described by his brother Dale as a “superhero of a brother” and by his sister Lauren as someone with “an uncontested ability to cure any anguish with a simple embrace,” Ryan continues to inspire everyone who knows him. Though modest, his story has already touched many.
“Writing both books has been a labour of love for me,” Gerry said.
“I wanted to share the joy Ryan has brought to our family, to Bedford, to Harrow House and to everyone Ryan meets, with a broader audience … I also wanted to share our experience with other parents and siblings facing a similar journey.”
That hope has already been realised. A mother of a six-month-old baby with Down syndrome recently reached out to say Ryan’s story gave her “hope for the future.” For Gerry, that feedback made every moment worthwhile.
At EllieB’s, we’re honoured to call Ryan – and his family – a special part of ours. A big part of Ryan’s story, and of My Name is Ryan, centres on Harrow House, one of EllieB’s cherished supported living homes, where Gerry says Ryan has truly flourished.
“There can be no greater accolade to carers, residents and all involved in Harrow House than Ryan saying, ‘It is my home’,” he said.
He fondly recalls a Father’s Day dinner there, where Ryan proudly wore an apron and helped prepare the meal.
“I marvelled at how much Ryan had developed,” Gerry said. “Ryan was truly at home.”
EllieB’s CEO Wendy Warren was honoured to write the foreword. In it, she reflects on the stories shared by Ryan’s mother, Joyce, and his five siblings.
“Through their eyes, we come to understand the unique beauty of Ryan’s world and the way in which his presence has illuminated their lives,” she wrote.
“It is through these stories that we come to see Ryan, not merely as a young man with Down Syndrome, but as a joyful individual with a rich inner life, full of potential and deserving of every opportunity to shine.
…and shine he does”.
If you are interested in obtaining a copy of My name is Ryan, please contact Gerry: clarkes134@bigpond.com.
