Help Ben Battle... for (& with) Himself!

My name is Ben. If you know me, you’ll know that asking for help is not my strong suit, but it pales compared to what I’m up against now.

 

I’ve entered the fight of my life, and the time has come for me to raise my hand, put my pride aside, and admit that I need assistance.

 

In late March of this year (2023), I was blindsided by being diagnosed with an extremely rare autoimmune disease. Essentially, my body has been reprogrammed to attack itself, and it’s already wreaked havoc on my entire system — body and mind. Essentially, this disorder is taking apart my internal organs and nervous system. Not only am I experiencing constant and excruciating nerve pain, but as of this summer, my pancreas has failed me, and consequently, I’m now a Type 1 Diabetic. On top of that, I’m also now at an extremely high risk of heart attack, stroke, and seizures. 

 

This has left me reeling — in every possible way. I know that even if I make it through this part, my life will never be the same again.

 

The lifestyle changes I’ve already performed, adapting myself to an entirely new and strict diet, getting used to understanding dangerous highs and lows in my blood sugar while learning to use a continuous glucose monitor on which I’m now dependent, the endless trips to the hospital and visits with doctors of every specialty, the persistent prodding and testing, having to realize that I’m now at high risk of sudden life-threatening episodes, as well as the need to inject myself with expensive medications as many as six times a day — all of these are things that I would have thought insurmountable. But I’m proud to say that I’ve been able to take it all in stride and with as much strength and resilience as I can muster. I don’t win every day, but more and more days, I think I can do this (which is not how I felt a few months ago).

 

Funds will be used as follows: 

Roughly 45% will be used for medicine and the technical means of delivering that medicine. This includes the different forms of insulin I must consume, the digital glucose implants I must wear, the other supplies I need to test my blood regularly at home, plus the oral medications I need to treat my nerve pain and muscle spasms, as well as prescriptions to help prevent stroke, heart attack, and seizures. Perhaps most importantly, these funds will help cover the cost of an expensive but necessary insulin pump that I will begin to wear in the new year. 

 

Another 40% of the money raised here will go to medical appointments, blood/plasma tests, specialist procedures, physiotherapy, mental health meetings, and at least two surgeries that I’m scheduled for in 2024 — most of which are not covered by insurance.

 

The final 15% of the funds will be used to help me and my family unit partially cover living costs, including rent, utilities, bills, and healthy food. I’m ashamed to say that I’m beginning to struggle with these basic needs, having eaten away at my savings after having to take time off from work and my studio practice due to my new condition.

 

I feel like I’m in the process of being continuously struck down, all in the prime of my life. I’m standing back up every time I hit the deck, a bit wiser yet just a bit slower each time. I can feel my energy and will wane, and I’m no longer too proud to say it — I need all the help I can get.

 

So please, if I’ve ever made you smile, if I’ve ever shown you something new and unique through my artwork or point of view, if I’ve ever helped you fix up your bike or your studio, given you trailside beta or coached you down your steepest roller, if I ever made a good impression on you through my words, actions, or creations — I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for giving me a chance to be part of your life. Your boy is deep in unfamiliar territory, and I’m sending up that rescue flare. I love you guys, and if it weren’t for you, there wouldn’t be a reason for me to want to keep going. So, thank you for keeping me in your thoughts!