The Story
Meet Ben, the beneficiary of the next SOARD dream room makeover. He is quite a brilliant young man and incredibly handsome. This remarkable young man is only 8 and regardless of the challenges he faces, he has accomplished many goals and acquired great talents that many of us as adults have still not attained.
Ben is the fourth child in the family. He was born with Myelomeningocele, which is the most serious form of Spina Bifida. This is a rare birth defect in which the spinal cord and spinal canal do not fuse together or close before birth. This defect leaves the space open with a thin membrane covering it and this sac contains cerebrospinal fluid. This can lead to hydrocephalus as well. Ben experienced this and required a shunt placed shortly after birth. In addition to Myelomeningocele, Ben was born with a club foot and congenital vertical talus also known as rocker bottom foot.
Ben gets around in his wheelchair, which enhances his need for speed. This speed racer is extremely adventurous, loves the great outdoors and enjoys exploring the world around him.
His differences do not create barriers he can't overcome. He loves to swim, water ski, snow ski, play wheelchair basketball, go hiking on his dad's back and participate in track and field events. Ben raced at the Track and Field Junior Nationals Competition this past summer. Not only is he a sports champion, but also plays the piano and violin. This second grader is exceptionally multitalented and has a great sense of humor, too.
"He loves to swim, water ski, snow ski, play wheelchair basketball, go hiking on his dad's back and participate in\u00a0 track and field events."
Ben delights in telling jokes, dances to the Crazy Frog Pandora station, enjoys science experiments and reading, especially Encyclopedia Brown and fact books. He loves Geography and one day hopes to be a Biologist.
This young man exudes excellence and charm. His determination and drive are rolling him toward a bright and esteemed future. We are ecstatically working on his renovations and anxiously looking forward to seeing his bright smile!
