I am raising funds for my father-in-law, Ben (or, as many know him, Benny) Birdsong, as he faces an incredibly difficult and unexpected road to recovery.

Ben was recently diagnosed with oral squamous cell carcinoma and underwent an extensive, nearly 10-hour surgery to remove the cancer from his jaw, followed by reconstruction using tissue and bone from his left leg. In the days after surgery, his recovery was nothing short of remarkable. He continued to amaze his medical team—and all of us—with his strength, determination, and unmistakable Ben Birdsong grit.

 Then, just a little over two weeks after surgery, everything changed.

Ben suffered a large ischemic stroke that left him with significant deficits, including loss of movement on his right side and difficulty communicating. In a matter of days, our focus shifted from recovering from cancer surgery and preparing for radiation treatment to navigating an entirely new and uncertain road ahead.

While the last several days have been incredibly difficult, Ben continues to give us glimpses of the fighter we have always known him to be. He is working hard every day, and our greatest hope is to get him medically stable enough to transition to an intensive inpatient rehabilitation program, where the real work of stroke recovery can begin.

There are still many unknowns. His recovery will require extensive rehabilitation, ongoing medical care, and eventually continued treatment for his cancer. With that will come expenses we cannot yet fully anticipate, including medical bills, rehabilitation, transportation, and the many costs that accompany a long-term recovery.

For anyone who knows Ben or his daughters, Ashton and Grayson, you know that none of them would ever be the first to ask for help. In fact, they initially hesitated to start a fundraiser. But after yet another life-altering event, they agreed to accept the support of our family, friends, and community.

Any contribution, no matter the amount, would be deeply appreciated and would help ease the financial burden of Ben’s recovery. If you are unable to give, sharing this fundraiser can make a meaningful difference. Most importantly, please keep Ben and our family in your prayers.

We have already been overwhelmed by the love, prayers, messages, and support surrounding our family. We truly believe in the power of prayer, community, and showing up for one another during the hardest seasons of life. Thank you to all of our village!