… As Written by Ryan Wilson
I suppose I could write a book about my life and experiences.
I am genuinely fascinated by other people and myself.
We are all interesting creatures.
For me, I was born with Osteogenesis Imperfecta. It’s a rare condition that causes brittle bones.
Basically, I have broken 50 to 60 bones and have had multiple surgeries.
I really didn’t think of myself as “different” when I was younger, and, to a certain extent, I still think I’m just like most people.
In college, I saw up close and personal several of the greatest Paralympic athletes in the world, even history.
They were towering figures in my eyes: huge muscles, fast wheelchairs, and unbelievable records.
I will admit, I was slightly awestruck in the beginning.
Once I built relationships with them, I saw that their hearts were larger than their muscles, and their kindness was way more powerful than their world records.
It was amazing.
Then, in 2018, I went on a production shoot in Winter Park, Co.
It’s a small area tucked in the Rocky Mountains a couple hours northwest of Denver.
We were filming trust as it is expressed between visually impaired skiers and their able-sighted guides.
We strapped GoPros on the skiers and their guides who ripped down ski slopes untethered at 60 miles per hour.
We accompanied our footage with sit down interviews in which I asked skiers about this very visible expression of trust.
I asked such questions as:
– How did you build your trust?
– What has this trust enabled you to do personally and athletically?
– Where would you be without this trust?
As I asked questions, I started to feel as if this film was about me.
I have had to rely on assistants to help me with very personal tasks.
I have had to put my life, just like these visually impaired skiers, into the hands of strangers.
That resonated, and, honestly, still does.
The film on trust led to the creation of Team Trust Productions, or Team Trust, for short.
The idea, sure, is to capture the relationship between the disability community and those not in the community and vice versa.
Moreover, I want you to feel the trust, love and friendship persons with disabilities have with one another.
I want you to see who they really are, their authentic selves.
I genuinely want to help our clients tell their stories to the best of their abilities.
I may push here and there, but that’s because I see our clients’ potentials. I believe in them, like I do you.
Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you ever want to talk and / or do business together.
My team and I can bring a level of understanding of the disability community like no other.
I am not saying that to sound arrogant. I just firmly believe my experiences of talking with persons with disabilities all over the world will benefit you and our community.
I have worked for the International Paralympic Committee, the US Olympic and Paralympic Committee, and the US Olympic and Paralympic Museum, and I have spoken with persons with disabilities all over the world — in countries like Brazil, Germany, Australia, China and South Africa.
That, if I may, has taught me the importance of listening to understand, setting aside differences, and building deep connections.
At the end of the day, what matters the most to me is … you.
I don’t live by the rule, “Treat others how you want to be treated.”
I live by this rule, instead:
“Treat others how they want to be treated.”
All the best,
Ryan