About Us
We are a small family of four from Montana. I (Ben) am 6 months old and my big sister, Samantha, is two. I was diagnosed with achondroplasia right after I was born. Nothing was known prior to my birth, although it had been a risky pregnancy right from about 16 weeks. Mommy was on bed rest for most of the pregnancy due to consistent labor and bleeding. However, despite the odds (because I am a super hero!), I was delivered safe and sound on April 11. We did not know how severe my condition was until two weeks ago when I had my second check up with my genetics doctors in Helena. After lots of tests, they quickly flew me out to Oregon to go to a bigger hospital. I had more tests when I arrived and I had surgery on October 26th on my spine. I have several very severe problems with my back (among other things). However, the most risky was the first of several surgeries on my spine. The cut a piece of my skull out to relieve pressure built up and also carved away at most of the vertebrae in my neck to allow my spine and spinal cord to grow. Earlier it was pinching off and causing me a lot of scary problems. I am doing okay after surgery, but Mommy, Daddy, Sam, and my family are very concerned for the upcoming months and years. We know that God is good all the time - and that gives us all great comfort.
Daddy works 2 jobs right now to keep the family going, Mommy has a Mary Kay business that she works from home to help Daddy out a little and stay home to play with me and Sam. The doctors in Montana are awesome, but they didn't know too much about all of my things going on so we are in Oregon and Washington with family so I can go to a special hospital.
The doctors have told us I am a lucky guy. There are so many times that God could have taken me home in the last year. But God's given me one of the highest pain tolerances doctors have ever seen and has huge plans for my life. I'm a pretty smiley guy even though my condition causes me so much pain.
Funding
What we need is funding to help with current and future medical bills for Ben, and also living expenses. As everyone knows, the bills don't stop just because your child is having health issues.
Other Ways You Can Help
Please get the word out there if you can! We are in the process of building a fan page on Facebook, so look for us there soon. And we also have an account set up at Wells Fargo so the family can use some extra funds now. Thank you so much for reading, praying and giving of your time and effort!
