Micah Bennett
Donation protected
www.rayandlaurab.blogspot.com
We set up this page on behalf of the Bennett Family (Laura, Ray, Dylan, and soon to be born, baby Micah). If any of you have the pleasure of knowing them you immediately know what a warm, kind and loving family they are. They are the kind of people that would give you the shirt off their back, or the last $5.00 in their pocket if you needed it, and never ask for anything in return.
Micah was born May 31, 2014. He was diagnosed at 18.5 weeks gestation with Tetralogy of Fallot with Pulmonary Atresia, Ventricular Septal Defect, and MAPCAs. Basically, Micah was born without a pulmonary artery that is supposed to supply blood to the lungs. Instead, he was born with several small collateral arteries. The problem with collateral arteries is that they provide inconsistent blood supply to different parts of the lungs. Children's surgeon Dr. Jonas performed Micah's first open heart surgery when he was 12 days old. They placed a conduit from his right ventricle to his tiny pulmonary arterties. They expect him to have about 2-3 open heart surgeries in his first year of life :(
Also, Micah has a genetic anomaly called 22q11.2 deletion syndrome which is a part of a larger genetic defect called chromosomal translocation. They don't know all of the information associated with his translocation but they do have information about 22q. There are about 184 defects associated with 22q (including congenital heart disease) but not everyone who has 22q has all 184 defects. Each person diagnosed with 22q has different physical and cognitive health issues.
When Laura shared all the news about Micah, we were all heartbroken for them. As hard as it is, Laura and Ray still have such faith and optimism, it is so empowering to see how strong they have remained. They did start a blog to share their journey with Micah, www.rayandlaurab.blogspot.com. I encourage you all to please read it. I think you can really get a better understanding of how amazing the Bennett family is and really understand the pain and heartache which they are suffering, as well as understand more about Micah’s condition.
They also currently have a son, Dylan who is 20 months old. Dylan is such a kindred spirit like his parents. He is so sweet, loving and has never meet a stranger. He is an absolute joy to be around, and while we have all the faith that they will continue being amazing parents to Dylan, in a situation like this a lot of time is going to have to be spent by Micah’s side while he is being treated.
Laura and Ray did not plan on asking for help, they only ask for prayers, but unfortunately in a situation like this, prayers will not help with the medical costs that they'll face as a result of Micah's condition; which is why some of their friends decided to get together and set this up in hopes of raising some money for them. Even if we can raise enough to help offset the costs of one surgery, we will be truly happy that we can help ease at least one piece of their life. Money is the last thing you want to think about when you are worried about the well-being of your children. So thank you to anyone out there who donates or even just takes the time to even read this story, we really appreciate it.
We set up this page on behalf of the Bennett Family (Laura, Ray, Dylan, and soon to be born, baby Micah). If any of you have the pleasure of knowing them you immediately know what a warm, kind and loving family they are. They are the kind of people that would give you the shirt off their back, or the last $5.00 in their pocket if you needed it, and never ask for anything in return.
Micah was born May 31, 2014. He was diagnosed at 18.5 weeks gestation with Tetralogy of Fallot with Pulmonary Atresia, Ventricular Septal Defect, and MAPCAs. Basically, Micah was born without a pulmonary artery that is supposed to supply blood to the lungs. Instead, he was born with several small collateral arteries. The problem with collateral arteries is that they provide inconsistent blood supply to different parts of the lungs. Children's surgeon Dr. Jonas performed Micah's first open heart surgery when he was 12 days old. They placed a conduit from his right ventricle to his tiny pulmonary arterties. They expect him to have about 2-3 open heart surgeries in his first year of life :(
Also, Micah has a genetic anomaly called 22q11.2 deletion syndrome which is a part of a larger genetic defect called chromosomal translocation. They don't know all of the information associated with his translocation but they do have information about 22q. There are about 184 defects associated with 22q (including congenital heart disease) but not everyone who has 22q has all 184 defects. Each person diagnosed with 22q has different physical and cognitive health issues.
When Laura shared all the news about Micah, we were all heartbroken for them. As hard as it is, Laura and Ray still have such faith and optimism, it is so empowering to see how strong they have remained. They did start a blog to share their journey with Micah, www.rayandlaurab.blogspot.com. I encourage you all to please read it. I think you can really get a better understanding of how amazing the Bennett family is and really understand the pain and heartache which they are suffering, as well as understand more about Micah’s condition.
They also currently have a son, Dylan who is 20 months old. Dylan is such a kindred spirit like his parents. He is so sweet, loving and has never meet a stranger. He is an absolute joy to be around, and while we have all the faith that they will continue being amazing parents to Dylan, in a situation like this a lot of time is going to have to be spent by Micah’s side while he is being treated.
Laura and Ray did not plan on asking for help, they only ask for prayers, but unfortunately in a situation like this, prayers will not help with the medical costs that they'll face as a result of Micah's condition; which is why some of their friends decided to get together and set this up in hopes of raising some money for them. Even if we can raise enough to help offset the costs of one surgery, we will be truly happy that we can help ease at least one piece of their life. Money is the last thing you want to think about when you are worried about the well-being of your children. So thank you to anyone out there who donates or even just takes the time to even read this story, we really appreciate it.
Organizer
Friends of the Bennett Family
Organizer
Braemar Tartan Hills Parkway, VA
