The narrator, Ryan, has a rare disorder that makes him unable to feel pain. As a child, he would engage in reckless behavior, such as playing with a scorpion and getting stung, without feeling any discomfort. This behavior continued into his teenage years, where he became known as "fearless" and would perform outrageous stunts, including cliff diving and setting himself on fire. Despite being warned by doctors to stop engaging in dangerous activities, Ryan continued to push the limits, eventually getting into a severe motorcycle accident that left him paralyzed from the waist down. He is now confined to a wheelchair and undergoing physical therapy, with a chance of regaining the ability to stand in a year. Ryan reflects on his past actions and is filled with regret, realizing that his inability to feel pain led him to take unnecessary risks and live a life of recklessness.
Here are the key facts extracted from the text:
1. The narrator, Ryan, claims he can't feel pain.
2. Ryan's parents thought he was a perfect baby because he rarely cried.
3. Ryan's parents took him to the doctor after he was stung by a scorpion, but he didn't react to the pain.
4. Ryan has two older brothers who would hit and punch him, but he wouldn't cry.
5. Ryan became a bully at his new school.
6. Ryan participated in extreme sports, including mountain biking, paragliding, skydiving, and base jumping.
7. Ryan's favorite sport is cliff diving.
8. Ryan broke both his arms while cliff diving.
9. Doctors conducted tests and confirmed that Ryan is incapable of feeling pain.
10. Ryan's condition is extremely rare and puzzling to doctors.
11. Ryan's doctor advised him to stop engaging in dangerous sports.
12. Ryan ignored the doctor's advice and continued to participate in extreme sports.
13. Ryan started making videos of himself hurting himself to gain views and followers.
14. Ryan gained a large following and became popular on social media.
15. Ryan's mom begged him to wear a helmet while biking, but he refused.
16. Ryan got into a biking accident and was hospitalized with many cuts.
17. Ryan woke up in an operating room with many surgeons trying to stitch him back together.
18. Ryan was paralyzed from the waist down and might be confined to a wheelchair for three years.
19. Ryan's body needs time to heal, and he will undergo physical therapy in two or three years.
20. Ryan has one year left of recovery and hopes to be able to stand soon.