By Julieanne Leupold
Staff Writer
Never underestimate the power of prayer.
Or at least that is what the family of Ryan Corbin, 1999 Pepperdine alumnus who lapsed into a coma after a four-story fall June 19, credits for his miraculous recovery.
His mother, Lindy, aunt singer Debby Boone and grandfather entertainer Pat Boone appeared on CNN’s Larry King Live Thursday with news that Corbin had gradually awakened from a seven-month coma more rapidly than expected.
“They (the doctors) were the medical team and we were the faith team,” Pat Boone said.
The doctors initially gave Corbin a grim prognosis due to his extensive internal bleeding and head trauma. Originally Corbin, who is now 25, suffered from kidney failure, collapsed lungs and heart stoppage.
“Over the course of the first week in the intensive care unit, it looked as if we would lose him,” Doug Corbin said after Ryan’s fall.
Doug Corbin is Ryan’s father and assistant vice chancellor for the Center for Estate and Gift Planning at Pepperdine. “It was the toughest week of my life,” he said.
However, after extensive physical therapy, Ryan Corbin can now sit up and recognize certain words.
“Without your steadfast love, support and prayers, we would not be where we are today,” Doug Corbin said. “It has been a time of great sorrow and pain, but also a time of growth, thanksgiving and healing.”
Ryan Corbin can’t yet communicate freely or stand without support, but his family is encouraged that he is breathing well without a ventilator.
“We are still hopeful that one day soon, he will show a desire to walk and talk again,” Doug Corbin said. “He is receiving great care at his current facility and the plans are to move him (home) around March 1.”
For more information on his recovery, go to the Web site prayforryan.com or write to his family at info@prayforryan.com.
January 31, 2002
