BUCYRUS – Ryan Dyer had his dream come true riding in a rig.

The 44-year-old, who is confined to a wheelchair, fulfilled his dream of driving in a semi-truck, thanks to a Bucyrus company that set the wheels in motion – and a caring community that rallied around him.

“He was just smiling,” said Tom Baum, who accompanied Dyer to Hord Family Farms on August 11 for the special occasion arranged by Janel Hord.  “It was all about Ryan and the trip.  They treated him just like he was part of the family, the Hord family.”

Dyer, who was born with cerebral palsy, has always been passionate about trucking.  About six years ago he purchased American Truck Simulator, a gaming system that allows him to be “king of the road,” delivering cargo across the United States.

He has also been fascinated with Hord trucks, which he often sees around town, so last year he and Baum – his direct support professional – visited the fifth-generation family farm on Ohio 98.  Dyer took photos, and then recreated the vehicles on his game.

For his “driving” debut last month, Dyer was hoisted into the cab feet first with help from Hord president Pat Hord and employees Scott Hoover and Rick Bauer.  The semi-driver was Henry Teeters, who came in from vacation to be part of the experience.

After a pre-trip inspection, they filled the trailer with hog feed before making a scheduled delivery to a hog farm near Oceola.  As a surprise, they also parked the rig in front of Cooper’s Mill in Bucyrus, where Dyer’s mother works, so she could take plenty of photos.

“It was good,” Dyer said, explaining that he especially liked the vibration of the truck as it accelerated and backed up several times in the grain bin.  “That was my favorite part when we loaded up the trailer in the grain bin.”

Before the day was over, Hoover took time to chat with Dyer about computers and told him about his video game – a farming simulator.  He even invited him back to Hord’s for the fall harvest – and the chance to take another ride on top of a combine.

 

“His face lit up like a Christmas tree.  He’s excited about that one too,” said Baum, his friend and advocate for over 20 years.  “I think it’s neat he made a connection in there with Scott Hoover, and I had nothing to do with that.  It was like they all took the time, talked to him, and learned more about him.”

Dyer, who works at part-time McDonald’s, has added three computer screens, an IR tracker camera, and two custom-made button boxes to his computer.  The steering wheel is from an actual rig and the foot pedals were modified so he could push them with his hands.

His next purchase?  A semi-air horn and an automatic transmission gearbox.  More accessories to make the gaming system with its many mods more realistic.  Because this Colonel Crawford High School graduate – in his own mind – will always be truckin’.”