Stories from the road
"I have great news! I took Ryan's car to the top of Everest! While I don't have a summit photo with the car, I can say that I always kept that car in my pack, and it touched the top of the world. The MINI was blessed by the Puja, so that it would be safe for the entire expedition!"
"I instantly felt that I wanted to contribute. I was very ill with Leukaemia when I was little, and if I hadn't pulled through - I hope that someone would have done something like this for my parents. Today I'm 20 years old and I would love to be sent a MINI and take it somewhere really pretty."
"People at this place have always believed that when someone goes away, the spirit lives on. That's what the statues are for, but it seems, in this case, you daughters spirit lives on in her toy car."
"I just returned from yet another trip, on which I had Ryan's MINI with me, riding right on the dashboard! We traveled in my MINI to Clarksville, Tennessee, where I helped facilitate a seminar for spouses of deployed Army troops from Ft. Campbell. We road the entire length of the Natchez Trace through Mississippi!"
"Ryan may have missed out on a few things in the course of her abbreviated life, but she clearly had the best of the best when it came to the family who loved her every day. Ryan lives on not only as you honor her memory, but as you teach others to honor her memory as well. THANK YOU, for sharing your experience and in doing so, making so many other people better in their own lives. You and your family are making a difference in this world."
"I am happy to have the honor of sharing in Ryan's life celebration. I absolutely LOVE the phrase, "Little Girls Can Do Big Things." It wasn't until I had cancer that I realized I had always been told I could NOT do things because I was a girl. I have put that thinking away and am making up for lost time. In the past I would have never been brave enough to contact you or think my photos were worthy of such a wonderful project. Thank you for sharing Ryan's spirit and helping other GIRLS to understand their potential."
"I did a write-up of 'my cross country' trip along with a photo-video and entered it in the "Countryman Wanderlust" competition on MINI Space. I have won the judging for the grand prize - a new Countryman! I honestly feel that having Ryan's MINI (and spirit) with me on the trip was a key piece of the package that made the trip so special - and played a role in my win. I will think of Ryan every time I drive it. "
"Our trip was fun and we basically were on a mini mission for MINI pictures with Ryan"s MINI. We had people in tears in Amsterdam a couple times when we explained why we were taking the pictures. It was very heart warming."
"We hiked Ayres Rock (Australia). Once we reached the top we took multiple photos with the MINI and the lady bug...Since being there was a very spiritual event, At the top I decided to leave the lady bug safely tucked in a bush forever! Hopefully Ryan knows where we left it and when she visits she can pick her up...."
"Had a great time and thanks. I will continue to spread the word. It was funny the kids at the highland games loved it when I put it on the sheep dogs head."
"It was an honor to take the MINI along for my honeymoon. I hope to do it for our next international trip! It's awesome to see so many people coming together to take Ryan's MINI all over the world."
"I was so happy to go to the mailroom today and see the little box, which I knew was Ryan's MINI! I have already taken so many pictures and told her story to many of my friends who asked for the link and have been looking through all of the photos that people have taken. They are all amazed by what a powerful thing this MINI Cooper is; faith in humanity restored."
"Ryan's MINI did make it to the North Pole. We had a great expedition. The weather was terrible, making for poor visibility, and lots of wind. I was honored to take Ryan's MINI with me. It had a special place in my parka, and in my heart."