Ryan Berger enjoyed the recent U2 concert at the Anaheim Pond.

The best part was the great seats. At 3 feet 2 inches and somewhere around 50 to 60 pounds, it is hard to see over people’s heads.

From where he sat in his black motorized wheelchair in the disabled section, Ryan heard every one of Bono’s songs clearly.

But wherever Ryan could have sat he would have made the most of it. Nothing stops the 24-year-old from having fun and enjoying life.

His positive outlook overpowers his fragile bones and has taken him far within family and friends, school, and society.

Ryan, a student at Cal State Fullerton, has Osteogenesis Imperfecta (OI), known as “brittle bones disease,” a condition of abnormal fragility of the bones.

OI is a genetic defect that affects the body’s production of collagen. Less collagen than normal leads to weak bones that fracture easily. The disease is characterized by, short stature, loose joints and poor muscle development in the arms and legs, a barrel-shaped rib cage, and discoloration of the teeth.

Ryan has learned to accept his disability with an open mind.

“I’ve been disabled all my life, this is what I know,” Ryan says, “It might take me a little longer to fulfill the duties an able-bodied person can do but I do it,” he says.

Growing up, Ryan’s bones would sometimes break with the slightest movement.

“If I sneezed or slept the wrong way, I’d break something,” he says.

Ryan’s parents, John and Carolyn, and older brother Mark, have supported and cared for him, helping him build the optimism and strength that he could not find in his fragile body.

“I would like to believe Ryan’s positive outlook comes from the family always treating him like anyone else,” says Carolyn Berger.

“We acknowledged his disability and dealt with the issues that it has brought with it, he has always been included in every family vacation, or outing, and has always been treated with respect,” she says.

“My brother, knowing I couldn’t play sports with him would include me in other activities like going head-to-head playing video games,” Ryan said.

“We all have a good sense of humor in this house and everyone gets teased, I think that has toughened Ryan to handle the outside world,” Carolyn says.

Carolyn recently retired from a law firm to be Ryan’s full time caretaker. Maria Alcaraz had been Ryan’s caretaker for the past 11 years. She only comes by and helps with the house now but is still one of the most important people in Ryan’s life.

“I have always treated him normal, and would scold him like I would anybody else,” Alcaraz says.

“I’ll play a joke on him and he’s ok with it,” she says, “He has a very good heart.”

The support at home has given Ryan the positive attitude he demonstrates everywhere he goes. This especially helped him in school.

Ryan could not attend public school in Irvine because of liability issues. He attended Carl Harvey in Santa Ana, a private school for disabled students.

With the Americans with Disabilities Act, which bans discrimination on the basis of disability, his parents fought to get Ryan admitted into a public school. This didn’t happen until he was 10 years old. They had to fight the school system again when he started junior high.

By the time Ryan reached high school, the ADA protected his rights but overprotected him at all times.

“At recess I would have to stay in one spot with an aide, I didn’t like that, I wanted to go play with everyone else,” he says.

Ryan’s classmates would be hesitant at first, but eventually they would open up to his friendly and open attitude.

As with making friends, nothing has stopped Ryan from achieving his goals.

“Ryan constantly talks about the future,” says long time friend, Carol Vohs. “His enthusiasm for life is outstanding.”

Today, he is a business administration major, with an emphasis on management science information systems and will be graduating in Fall 2001.

“He is very confident and very self-reliant, which is going to help him in the long run,” says his counselor Lisa Thies, at the Disabled Students Center.

After graduation, Ryan’s goal is to succeed in the computer industry and maybe do some public speaking to help break some of the barriers people have with the disabled.

“I want to help connect both worlds,” he says.

“Teasing and prejudice comes from fear; we’re afraid of difference,” he adds. Ryan can think of times when he has seen no compassion towards the disabled.

“I have stood waiting for an elevator to get to class, and they’ll just walk in front of me not giving me a chance to get in,” Ryan says, “It just blows me away.”

Ryan hopes people would accept each other’s differences more.

“It’s so weird, at school people never give me fliers they’re handing out, they assume that I’m more disabled then I really am,” he says laughing, “I’m comfortable being disabled, it’s cool come up to me more.”

As for people who cannot look past differences, “It’s their loss,” he says.

Ryan wants to go to concerts, movies, and enjoy himself like everybody else. He remains positive and only wishes for people to be more accepting and open-minded.

“Don’t hesitate to get to know me, or prejudge, just give me a chance,” he says.

Original date published:
16 May 2001