Toddler with Down syndrome who inspired "Banana Split Parties" worldwide passes away

from The Daily Mail by Kristie Lau and Snejana Farberov:
Ryan Roberts, the 22-month-old terminally ill toddler who inspired thousands of families to host ‘Banana Split’ parties for their kids, passed away on Sunday.
His mother, Diane Roberts, posted on her Facebook page that her son ‘fought as in typical Ryan fashion - he ignored our words telling him it was OK to go.’
‘At approximately 12:10 while I held Ryan in my arms and daddy held him as well – surrounded by so many who loved him Ryan drew his last breath. He is without oxygen, medicine, tubes, wires, and HURT – he is at peace,’ Mrs Roberts wrote.

The night before his passing, the little boy slept peacefully, Roberts told TODAY Moms. ‘His monitor did not beep the entire night,’ she said. ‘He had a fabulous night.’
Four weeks ago, Diane and Erik Roberts, of Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, made the heart-rending decision to issue a Do Not Resuscitate order for Ryan when they were told by his doctors that after four surgeries, there is nothing else that can be done for their son.
Ryan was born on September 12, 2010, with Down syndrome compounded by a congenital heart defect.

His story captured the hearts of people the world over after his mother asked parents to serve their children banana split desserts for dinner as a way to create lasting memories in her son’s honor.
'Who cares if your children don't get their veggies one night for dinner, allow them to "break the rules" for just one night and think of a special little boy while you're doing it!!' the Facebook invitation read.

A friend created a Ryan's Banana Split Party page on Facebook, and more than 76,000 people have responded, posting photos from their ‘Banana Split’ parties.
Photos from as far as Abu Dhabi, South Korea and Italy have been posted on the page as support from all over the world continues to pour in.
Mrs Roberts told HLNtv.com in June: 'We're just shocked at all these Banana Split parties that are going around for Ryan. Who would have thought a 21-month-old could have brought so many smiles to so many faces?'
Knowing that their son was quickly slipping away, his parents spent the past weeks checking items off a special bucket list they created for him made up off all the things he could have experienced if given the chance to grow up.
Ryan got a fake tattoo, was issued a 'speeding ticket' by visiting Pittsburgh police officers, rode a bike and shared a (root) beer with his dad to celebrate his 21-month-birthday.

‘He's a real bad ass,’ his mother said jokingly at the time.
Last week, the Roberts family spent the Fourth of July together at Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, where they took Ryan to the roof of the parking garage to watch the fireworks.
He fell asleep before they were launched, Mrs Roberts said, ‘but we were all there together.’
His parents did not expect Ryan to go quite so soon, having thought that he had a couple more weeks left.
‘Last Sunday, I was lying out on the grass with him,’ his mother said. ‘The next Sunday, he was gone.’
Family and friends will gather on Friday for a private celebration of Ryan's life in Pittsburgh. Others who wish to honor Ryan can do so by writing memorial messages on balloons and releasing them into the sky at 8.30pm on Friday.

Family makes bucket list for baby with only weeks left

By Amanda Sloane, HLN TV:

He’s not even two years old but he is already checking things off his bucket list: from the simple stuff like petting a puppy and riding a bike, to drinking a beer with his dad (root beer of course, in honor of his 21^st month birthday) and getting a speeding ticket for going too fast in the hospital.

Ryan Roberts' parents want him to live his life to the fullest; he was born with Down Syndrome and a heart defect and has little time left.
When doctors told them there was nothing else they could do for Ryan’s heart, they stopped his supportive cared and declared him a DNR -- Do Not Resuscitate. Diane Roberts took to her Facebook page to let out her frustrations.
“People kept asking, ‘What can I do for you?’ We didn't want anything,” she tells HLN. “We didn’t want the people to bring stuffed animals and balloons. His room is filled with balloons. “
Her suggestion was a simple one: “I said, just go create a memory with your kids. Just go put a banana split down in front of your kids for dinner and watch their faces light up. No chicken, rice and broccoli tonight, just ice cream. They're going to remember that forever.”
Her friend launched a Facebook event called "Ryan's Banana Split Party," asking people to fulfill Diane's wish. And what started with just a handful of friends quickly exploded to almost 20,000 people, who have pledged to hold their own banana split parties in Ryan’s honor.
“It's so crazy how this all started,” she says. “I said something to one person about having a banana split with your family and about two weeks later there are 18,000 people on the Facebook page.”
Families from around the country have posted messages of support along with pictures of their ice cream parties. You'll see McFlurrys at a McDonald’s in Texas, banana splits on the last day of school in Vermont, Dippin’ Dots in Pennsylvania  -- and on and on. It’s hard to scroll through and not get a little teary-eyed at the overwhelming support from all of these people who have been touched by Ryan’s story.
If you've been inspired and want to send your support to Ryan's family, it’s easy to do. Find Ryan’s Banana Split Party on Facebook and upload your words of encouragement and pictures right there on the wall.

By Gordon Loesch/NBC News:
A Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania family faced with a difficult decision is hoping people across the world will be inspired by their 21-month-old son.
Ryan Roberts was born with Down syndrome and a congenital heart defect.
Doctors recently gave Ryan only weeks to live, but Ryan's parents said they're making the most of every minute.
Inside Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, where Ryan has spent most of his life, his parents are making sure the little boy gets to experience some simple joys like petting a puppy, finger painting, having a beach party and riding a bike.
Ryan's bucket list gained international attention on Facebook after a friend of the family created a page for "Ryan's Banana Split Party."
Diane and Erik Roberts said they have received photos of people having a banana split in honor of Ryan from across the country and around the world.
Almost 5,000 people agreed to attend the party.
"I wanted people to just not take tomorrow for granted and go home and create a memory with your children where you just have a banana split for dinner," said Diane Roberts.
The outpouring support from family, friends and perfect strangers has helped the Roberts through a difficult time.
Diane and Erik Roberts said they recently made the heart-wrenching decision to sign a do not resuscitate order.
"We just call him Superman because everything he's been through. It just shows a pretty incredible amount of strength," Diane Roberts said. "Nobody is giving up on him. Nobody gives up on him. But they just know when he's suffering. It's just not fair."
The blood flow to Ryan's heart is too much, leading doctors to believe that the little boy only has weeks to live.
Ryan was only given a 10 percent chance of being born alive, and his parents said he wasn't expected to survive his last surgery.