Father Posts Plea For 5-Yr-Old Son In Wheelchair That Waits For Bus In Rain & Group Of Teens Answer It

Dec 13, 2021

Knowing your child needs something that you can't give them is a terrible feeling. This is exactly what a man from Rhode Island, Tim Killam, went through when his son Ryder had to wait outside in the rain and snow while he waited for the bus every day. Tim tried to use a patio umbrella but it was useless against the wind. In the end, he turned to Facebook to ask if his friends and family had another umbrella he could use, and instead, he got something a whole lot better.

Tim's post was a plea for any help or solution that could solve this problem, and luckily it was seen by the Construction Technology teacher at Westerly High School, Dan McKena. The teacher pledged to come up with a solution — and fast, as the winter months were approaching. Three classes came together to build a small building that Ryder could wait in that was strong enough to withstand the wind and snow. 

Home Depot donated wood for the project and the Killam family paid for the rest. The students got to work, and the end result was incredible. The new bus stop was perfect for Ryder, and it was ADA compliant thanks to the help of his older brother that happened to be in the class. There is a ramp and a sturdy roof to keep the elements away. The little fort even came with a sign that reads "Ryder's Bus Stop."

In the end, Ryder got to see how much his community cared for him, and the students got to put their skills to good use. Read on to learn more about this touching story.

Ordinarily, kids will run out to the bus from inside when it is cold or raining, but it takes Ryder extra time. "With Ryder being in a wheelchair, unfortunately, it's about 75 feet from our house to the bus," Tim said. "He's not the typical child that can run out when the bus comes."

Not wanting his son to suffer in the bad weather, Tim tried to find some help. He said, "We ended up having an old patio umbrella standing out here to keep him dry but with the wind blowing and stuff it just didn't work. So we decided to reach out to the community, we actually put a post on Facebook looking for friends that may be new somebody that had one that they were no longer using."

This post led the Killam family to the construction technology class. "I think my first email was, absolutely we're in," McKena said. "We've done other projects before. I think it's very important for my students to learn not only the aspects of construction but of being involved in the community dealing with people outside of the school environment."

McKena added: "They all worked together for a common goal and they really enjoyed knowing the end result and knowing where it's going. On days when it might've been like, 'I don't feel like working' or whatever it may be, they just come in eager, ready to get going and get to work."

Ryder and his family couldn't be happier with the end result. Tim shared: "He loves it, he actually after school makes us stay out here and hang out now it's his new fort so he gets home. The community, they're incredible. It's unreal how everyone comes together to make things work for everybody."

Although Ryder had not met the students who helped build his bus stop as of November 2021, McKena said that he received an email and a photo from the young man’s family.

“The family sent me a photo of Ryder in the bus stop and his grin, his smile, I think my response to that email was just, ‘priceless,’” McKena told a local news outlet. “That one photo that the family sent me made it all worth it and I shared it with the students that were involved in the construction.”

McKena and his students weren’t the only ones struck by Ryder’s heartwarming story. Apost.com readers from around the world also found the community’s kindness and Ryder’s reaction at once inspiring and uplifting.

“This is awesome. My father built us one many, many years ago. We lived in the country in Kansas, and it could get very cold and wet. Thanks Dad!” Linda Hopkins Isbell said on Facebook.

“There are a lot of people that will help. God bless the teens that helped Ryder's parents. It seems like our young adults are stepping up to help! We all need to follow examples!” Pam Hall added.

Other commenters argued that Ryder’s story is evidence that every bus stop should have a rain shelter.

“Every stop should have a shelter. It's not nice to be stuck in the rain, waiting for a bus. From people with different needs to Mums with pushchairs to anyone in general. Not many people want to be soaking wet all day,” Nikki Bowes commented.

While that may be the case, McKena and his students made sure that at least one smiley kid from Rhode Island could keep out of the rain — and he’s more than grateful.

Did this story touch your heart? What do you think of the incredible gift these students made for Ryder? Let us know and be sure to pass this on to your friends and loved ones.