About Ryan
Ryan Yex is a stand-up comedian who lives with cerebral palsy — and a valued contributor to Cerebral Palsy Center. His comedy turns the everyday realities of CP into clean, inspiring sets that bring hope to families and chip away at the stereotypes so many people with disabilities face.
A 31-year-old comedian from the Erie, Pennsylvania and Ohio regions, Ryan grew up navigating the physical challenges of cerebral palsy — using a wheelchair as a child before graduating to a walker. (One of his funniest bits jokes about his father tricking him into thinking the lawnmower was a walker.) He started performing at open mics in Northeast Ohio around 2015, sharpening his timing and turning his lived experience into material that audiences connect with. In November 2025 he was named “Erie’s Funniest” in a local comedy competition.
Ryan describes his act as “clean comedy with an inspiring message,” and he routinely travels up to 200 miles to perform. For him, comedy became a form of therapy that built strength emotionally and socially — and a platform to write his own story and show others what living with cerebral palsy can look like.
“I don’t look at cerebral palsy and see a disability. I look at cerebral palsy and see resilience.” — Ryan Yex
Why Ryan Matters to Cerebral Palsy Center
Having someone like Ryan working with us is a big deal. Most of our content is written by our editorial team and checked by medical and legal reviewers — but Ryan brings something none of that can: the authority of lived experience. He knows cerebral palsy from the inside, and he reminds the families who find us that a CP diagnosis doesn’t have to limit a child’s dreams, sense of humor, or future. As he puts it, you may have limitations, but you don’t have to be limited.
Ryan contributes perspective, story, and encouragement to our work on living with cerebral palsy — helping us show that therapy is about emotional, social, and spiritual well-being as much as physical care.
Ryan’s Story on Cerebral Palsy Center
See & Follow Ryan
- Watch: Ryan Yex at Kellar’s / Funny Stop Comedy Club (YouTube)
- In the news: Winner of “Erie’s Funniest” competition has unique comedy story (GoErie / Erie Times-News)
- Facebook: facebook.com/ryan.yex.98
- Instagram: @ryanyex
Ryan Yex is a community contributor and comedian sharing lived experience. His contributions reflect his personal perspective and are not medical or legal advice.