Ryan Buchanan, 17, was trapped underground without oxygen for 15 to 20 minutes after a sand tunnel collapsed on him at a beach in June 2011. In a persistent vegetative state, Ryan can breathe on his own but has a tracheostomy tube so his breathing isn't obstructed by his inability to swallow. After months of hospitalizations, his family brought him home in February.
Hope at home —
Ryan Buchanan, 17, was trapped underground without oxygen for 15 to 20 minutes after a sand tunnel collapsed on him at a beach in June 2011. In a persistent vegetative state, Ryan can breathe on his own but has a tracheostomy tube so his breathing isn't obstructed by his inability to swallow. After months of hospitalizations, his family brought him home in February.
Jacque Wilson/CNN
Bret Buchanan wanted to bring his son home to surround him with familiarity. "This is just a new life," Ryan's father says from the living room of their Orinda, California, home. "I don't look at it as any different than taking care of a normal child."
Hope at home —
Bret Buchanan wanted to bring his son home to surround him with familiarity. "This is just a new life," Ryan's father says from the living room of their Orinda, California, home. "I don't look at it as any different than taking care of a normal child."
Jacque Wilson/CNN
Bret Buchanan and Bob Hunter, leader of Ryan's youth group, hold a Bible study session. Deeply religious, the Buchanan family has faith that Ryan will recover. "I asked (the doctors), 'Do you believe in miracles, and have you seen miracles?' " Buchanan says. "And they said yes."
Hope at home —
Bret Buchanan and Bob Hunter, leader of Ryan's youth group, hold a Bible study session. Deeply religious, the Buchanan family has faith that Ryan will recover. "I asked (the doctors), 'Do you believe in miracles, and have you seen miracles?' " Buchanan says. "And they said yes."
Jacque Wilson/CNN
The Buchanans rely on a lot of equipment to care for Ryan at home, including boot night splints, adult diapers and cans of Nutren, a source of liquid nutrition. He requires nurses or caregivers around the clock, and his monthly care costs about $40,000.
Hope at home —
The Buchanans rely on a lot of equipment to care for Ryan at home, including boot night splints, adult diapers and cans of Nutren, a source of liquid nutrition. He requires nurses or caregivers around the clock, and his monthly care costs about $40,000.
Jacque Wilson/CNN
Ryan's friends have shown their support for the Buchanan family through notes and photos. Many of them stop by the house to visit Ryan.
Hope at home —
Ryan's friends have shown their support for the Buchanan family through notes and photos. Many of them stop by the house to visit Ryan.
Jacque Wilson/CNN
Ryan shows signs of responsiveness, according to his parents, who say they have seen him smile and occasionally make eye contact.
Hope at home —
Ryan shows signs of responsiveness, according to his parents, who say they have seen him smile and occasionally make eye contact.
Jacque Wilson/CNN
Curtis Hunter, a church friend who was with Ryan on the day of the accident, helps keep the teen's limbs from atrophying through physical therapy, while mom Janine Buchanan watches.
Hope at home —
Curtis Hunter, a church friend who was with Ryan on the day of the accident, helps keep the teen's limbs from atrophying through physical therapy, while mom Janine Buchanan watches.
Jacque Wilson/CNN
Janine Buchanan adjusts the blanket on her son's bed as Curtis helps Ryan with physical therapy.
Hope at home —
Janine Buchanan adjusts the blanket on her son's bed as Curtis helps Ryan with physical therapy.
Jacque Wilson/CNN
Janine Buchanan stares out the window during a rare moment of quiet in Ryan's room. "I don't think he'd want us to give up on him. He's a fighter."
Hope at home —
Janine Buchanan stares out the window during a rare moment of quiet in Ryan's room. "I don't think he'd want us to give up on him. He's a fighter."
Jacque Wilson/CNN
A photo of Janine, Ryan and his younger brother, Jacob, sits on the dining room table beside Ryan's lacrosse helmet.
Hope at home —
A photo of Janine, Ryan and his younger brother, Jacob, sits on the dining room table beside Ryan's lacrosse helmet.
Jacque Wilson/CNN
"He really knows who he is and has always, since he was little," Janine Buchanan says of her oldest son. "He was the baby you could take anywhere, do anything with."
Hope at home —
"He really knows who he is and has always, since he was little," Janine Buchanan says of her oldest son. "He was the baby you could take anywhere, do anything with."
Courtesy Buchanan Family
Ryan loved snowboarding, his dad says, and the family often went on trips that included outdoor adventures.
Hope at home —
Ryan loved snowboarding, his dad says, and the family often went on trips that included outdoor adventures.
Courtesy Buchanan Family
Popular with girls, Ryan attended three proms -- two junior proms at different high schools and one senior prom -- in the spring before his accident.
Hope at home —
Popular with girls, Ryan attended three proms -- two junior proms at different high schools and one senior prom -- in the spring before his accident.
Courtesy Buchanan Family
Ryan loved the beach. His parents say the atmosphere fit their son's mellow but outgoing personality.
Hope at home —
Ryan loved the beach. His parents say the atmosphere fit their son's mellow but outgoing personality.
Courtesy Buchanan Family
Jacob, left, always looked to his big brother for guidance, Bret Buchanan says. "Our next-door neighbors are few and far between ... so they were their best friends. For the first five years, they just had each other."
Hope at home —
Jacob, left, always looked to his big brother for guidance, Bret Buchanan says. "Our next-door neighbors are few and far between ... so they were their best friends. For the first five years, they just had each other."
Courtesy Buchanan Family