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Grandma Joy and Me
Published 30 June 2026
ISBN 9781923059900
Format EBook
Extent 336pp

Grandma Joy and Me

A Journey of Healing, One National Park at a Time

Formats & editions
Tr. Paperback
30 June 2026
EBook
30 June 2026
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A transformative true story following Brad Ryan and his grandmother Joy Ryan, who undertook a seven-year journey to visit every national park in the United States.

Raised in Appalachia, Grandma Joy lived a life shaped by constraints and hardships, while her grandson Brad grappled with the weight of family rifts and unresolved pain. Together, they embarked on a quest not only to witness the majesty of America’s wild landscapes but also to heal generations of struggles and misunderstandings.

Over seven years, they sought to visit all sixty-three US National Parks. From the towering peaks of Denali to the otherworldly beauty of the Everglades, each park became a classroom, teaching them profound lessons about nature, resilience, and each other.

Grandma Joy and Me follows an adventure of intergenerational healing. An emotionally charged exploration of love, forgiveness, and resilience, it describes a unique bond between a young man and his ninety-year-old grandmother—the oldest person to visit every US National Park.

More than just any travel tale, Grandma Joy and Me is a testament to what makes us human.
Published 30 June 2026
ISBN 9781923059900
Format EBook
Extent 336pp

About the author

Brad Ryan

Brad Ryan is a veterinarian, wildlife conservationist, social media influencer, mental health advocate, and writer from southeastern Ohio. He earned his BA from Miami University, an MSc in mammalian biology from the University of Pretoria, and both a DVM and MPH from The Ohio State University, specialising in wildlife medicine and veterinary public health. For Brad, storytelling is a vehicle for healing—rooted in empathy, inspired by nature, and driven by a desire to help others feel seen and connected. As a keynote speaker, he champions LGBTQ+ inclusion in the outdoors, eliminating stigma around mental health, and the protection of wildlife and public lands.
portrait photo of Brad Ryan

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