Hi! My name is Ben Banet and I'm raising money to help cover my medical bills from my stroke and subsequent 2.5 weeks in the hospital. They haven't all come in yet, but current best guess is about 5k total. So far in my recovery, I relearned how to talk, walk, and most other tasks I did with ease prior to this event. The fourth week of January was the first week I was freed from my wheelchair, and I have been walking without assistance ever since. For the remainder of February and the beginning of March, I will continue my physical, occupational, and speech therapy schedule along with rigorous plan of at-home plan exercises.

 

Hopefully, by summer I should be back to my regular schedule which includes mountain biking, running, backpacking, and hiking up mountain peaks. I should have a new appreciation for these activities and being able to move my body again after so many weeks of my right side not listening to my brain. I've been here mentally this whole time, but it's been a real challenge to not be able to fully express myself with my words or motion for the past several months. 

 

Thank you for all the cards and packages you've sent now. A few nights ago, after a rough day where I was tired and felt like I hadn't been progressing, I read about ten of the cards and was struck by how many and how much people cared for me. Thank you also for all the support whether it's a text message, letter, or Instagram story reaction. I feel very loved and supported by my community and can't wait to get back among you whether it's outside or not.

 

Any amount of a donation is appreciated and will be received with gratitude. For anyone donating $25 or more, I will send a pack of homemade cards to you. They're made with my photographs and typewriter and plenty of love. Please shoot Nate, Paige, Gerry or me a message on Facebook or Instagram with your address for shipping. It would be a joy to get my photos out in the world and brighten mailboxes across the country as you send the cards out. Thank you again for any and all contributions. Updates will continue to be posted on my Caringbridge site weekly as I progress in my recovery.