Supporting Ben Blood’s Road to Recovery

On Saturday, October 4th, my younger brother, Ben Blood, fell off his skateboard and suffered a severe brain injury. Ben is a 5th-grade teacher at Palmer Lake Elementary School and a local farrier with a heart for people and the outdoors. To know Ben is to love him. In our family, we say “everyone loves Ben, he’s the best of us.”

Immediately after his fall, Ben was rushed to the hospital and underwent life-saving surgery after doctors discovered expanding bleeds in three areas of his brain.

We are beyond grateful that Ben is alive. By God’s grace, the decisive actions of his girlfriend and friends with him, and the incredible medical team caring for him, he is fighting every day. He is currently in the ICU under close care. Although he is not apparently conscious yet, there are glimpses that have signaled he can recover. The days are long and uncertain, and while we don’t yet know when he will show a capacity to respond, we’re holding onto faith and believing for his complete recovery.

Still, his road there will be a long one.

Recovery from a traumatic brain injury can take months — even years — and much of that journey is unknown. Our understanding of his particular brain damage is limited, though we’ve been informed that his language centers and faculties around executive function could be significantly impaired when he “comes to”. Our family has been told to take things one day at a time, to be patient, and to trust Ben’s unique recovery process.

In the meantime, my dad, Rafe H. Blood Jr., will need to begin focusing on Ben’s recovery care full-time, especially once he is released, as it will be some time before he’s capable to live independently.

As you can imagine, a financial burden is emerging. Between the unknown medical costs, Ben’s and my Dad’s living expenses, and the costs of ongoing therapies, the overwhelm is mounting.

Perhaps the only thing more overwhelming has been the deluge of prayers, love, support, and messages of encouragement that have surrounded this experience since mere minutes after his accident and haven’t let up. Our community (Ben’s community!) never ceases to amaze. People all over the world are praying for Ben! Everyone loves Ben!

We’ve especially heard the question, “how can we help?” This GoFundMe is our attempt at a tangible answer.

We’ve created it to help ease the distraction of the financial burden so Ben and our family can focus entirely on his healing. Every dollar raised will go directly toward medical expenses, therapy care, food, rent, gas, and the necessities that will come with his long-term recovery.

If you know Ben, he’s shown up for you. I don’t have adequate language to capture the quality of his love for the people in his orbit or the expanse of its reach. If you don’t know him, just you wait.

Please understand we have no expectation of your financial donation. Your prayer, love, and outreach mean the world, already. Sharing this page with others is also really helpful.

From the bottom of our hearts — thank you for standing with us, for believing in Ben, and for being part of his story of hope and healing.

With love and gratitude,

Rafe P. Blood & Family