Bens Battle

This is our son Ben. He’s 8 years old and has been in a medical battle no child should ever face.

When Ben was 4, he was bitten by a tick in his belly button. That one bite changed everything. It led to Lyme disease and autoimmune problems that caused severe inflammation in his brain due to a triggered multi system inflammatory disorder. One of the most heartbreaking results is that Ben lost his ability to speak.

Ben used to talk in full sentences. He was playful and expressive. But as the illness spread, his words faded. Today, we still see the spark in his eyes, and every once in a while, a full sentence will come out clear as day, showing us that not only is our Ben still in there and fighting to come back but he has quite the personality.

We are doing everything we can to help him heal, but it’s expensive, and insurance does not cover many of the things he needs.

One of the most promising treatments is something called Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT). It helps reduce brain inflammation and encourages healing at a cellular level. It’s used for stroke recovery, brain injuries, and in many cases like Ben’s, has helped children regain speech. But it’s not covered by insurance, and renting a home unit is our best option to provide it consistently.

There are also specialized treatment centers like LymeStop and others across the country that have helped children just like Ben recover speech, mobility, and function. These programs use advanced technology and body-based therapies to help the immune system reset and fight infection more effectively. We’ve researched them extensively, and they offer hope, but they come at a high price, and none of it is covered by insurance.

In addition, there are specialized lab tests that could give us crucial answers about what Ben’s body is still fighting, but these advanced tests are all out-of-pocket, and we’ve already spent everything we have just to get this far.

There are also natural therapeutics and supplements that have been shown to help children with conditions like Ben’s. Things to calm the immune system, support detox, and reduce brain inflammation but again, none of it is covered.

My husband, Brian, is working two jobs and building a small business to help fund Ben’s treatment. If you’re local and need yard work or lawn care, please consider hiring him through his business, Made New Landscaping. He can be reached at eight four three-three six zero 2013.

He is dependable, honest, and hardworking — and every job he takes on helps get us one step closer to helping Ben heal.

We’re not asking for charity — we’re asking for a chance.

A chance to help our son speak again.

A chance to help him feel safe and comfortable in his own body.

A chance to give him his childhood back.

If you feel moved to give — even just $5 or by sharing this — it means the world to us.

Thank you for reading, for caring, and for standing with us in this fight for Ben’s healing.

With love and gratitude,

LeeAnn, Brian, and Ben