An Update on Benjamin on His 23rd Birthday

Today marked Benjamin's 23rd birthday.  On its own, it doesn't seem extraordinary.  23 trips around the sun.  It's a milestone, though, for him and our family.  Many of you have kept up with his progress since his accident on September 3, 2022 when he fell off the third level of a parking garage in Lake Charles, a 40 foot drop.  He landed on his feet, breaking both bones in both legs severely, fracturing his spine and fracturing his skull.

After numerous surgeries and hours of rehab, he has made remarkable progress.  We are so blessed to be able to celebrate his birthday.  It is because of God, gifted surgeons, nurses, therapists, and prayer warriors that he is able to stand and smile and celebrate the passage of another year.

From left to right: Russ, Benjamin, my Dad, my Mom, and Tricia

He requested a Tres Leches cake and we gathered around to watch him blow out the candles.  It was definitely a joyous occasion.  Words don't do justice to how grateful we are.  Benjamin continues physical therapy in Lake Charles twice a week, but he has also started back at his place of employment at a refinery in Westlake, LA where he is an electrical engineer.  He had only been there for two months and a week prior to the accident.  He should be cleared this week medically to once again go out into the field where he is working on his first real project.  He called last week so excited about the responsibility and satisfaction that he has in his job.  As he was preparing to blow out the candles, all these thoughts were racing through my head - how faithful God is, how undeserving we are, what a blessing to have a second chance after a life changing accident like this...

We packed away his walker, his wheelchair, his potty chair, along with all the other accoutrements of his recovery and put them in boxes and stored them in the attic.  The ramp for his wheelchair that a good family friend made still stands sentry at our back door, the last reminder of a 5 month journey to healing.  At some point we'll pack it away too.  He has even weaned himself off of the Gabapentin meds that he was on for nerve pain.

Not only is Benjamin walking, but he is driving.  Today we sent him off with the rest of the tres leches cake (I should have robbed one more slice, before sending it away) and other food so he would have lunches and breakfast already made this week.  He backed out of the driveway en route to the house he rents in Lake Charles with two other buddies.  We're so proud of his determination in working so hard to recover.

It's a weird feeling, to say the least, to see him drive off.  The baby bird leaving the nest for a second time.

And we're empty-nesters again.  God is so good!  Thank you for your faithfulness in prayer.  If you want to know a continued prayer issue or two for him:

He has a non-union in his right leg.  This means that the bones have not healed.  He is using a bone stimulator device to spur growth.  In 3 months, the orthopedic surgeon will look at it again.  If it hasn't healed, he'll schedule a surgery to remove all the hardware, reset the broken legs and start over.  Please pray for healing of the bones in his right leg.

He has trouble with his range of motion in his right foot and has no feeling in the bottom of his right foot, toes, and right hand and two fingers.  Pray for nerve healing that would bring back the feeling.

Thanks Again!