Republic West Remodeling Remodels Home for Paralyzed Airman, Ryan Pinney

On October 29, 2011, United States Air Force Tech Sgt. Ryan Pinney surprised his girlfriend, Meagan Novak, with a flashmob proposal at an upscale Shopping Mall in Scottsdale, Arizona. Both families and friends kept it a secret and learned the dance three months prior. Mathew Blades, morning DJ on 96.9 was in on the surprise. The radio station provided the music and the listeners came to witness the event.

After a 30-day mission in the Middle East, Tech Sgt. Eric Ryan Pinney decided to take a three-day leave and visit his father in Las Vegas. He threw his BMX bike in the back of his truck hoping to spend some time on the bike track at South Point. At the end of the day and one more lap, Pinney collided with another biker sending him over the handlebars. “It was immediate,” he explains, “My head never hit the ground but I knew I was seriously injured. I had no feeling in my legs.”

Paramedics transported Pinney to the UMC Trauma Unit. He dislocated the T11 and T12 vertebrate and fractured T12 leaving him paralyzed below the waist. Three days after the accident Pinney underwent surgery to fuse the spine however no information was given at that time regarding the spinal cord’s condition.

The wedding is scheduled for February 17, 2013 and plans were going smooth until this happened. “Meagan and I are in love and knew we wanted to be together forever and this has brought us even more close.” Pinney said. “She has been at my side the entire time. It’s as though it happened to both of us. I could not have made this progress if it were not for her.”

Republic West Remodeling was contacted to remodel Pinney’s home and make his home wheelchair accessible and easier for Pinnery to navigate through his home. The remodeling plans include creating a concrete ramp to the front of the house and raising the sunken living room to one level and removing all carpet and tile the area. In the kitchen, the cabinets will be redone to create a more open feel, a remodeled sink for wheelchair access, install a new stove with front-facing controls and to add additional base cabinets. The master bedroom is receiving an overhaul too with a new pocket door, to enlarge the opening into the room and allow for more space.

Family, friends and neighbors have joined to help with the transition and life change for the couple, from major home construction to providing meals. There is still so much that is needed. Donations can be made through www.helphopelive.org and search for Ryan Pinney.

For more information on how you can lend support to Ryan Pinney or on accessibility-tailored home remodeling, contact Republic West Remodeling.