Fundraiser set for Ben Case who remains in hospital after Homecoming parade accident
BY BECKY UEHLING
GRANT TRIBUNE Correspondent
Fourteen-year-old Venango resident Ben Case remains at Children’s Hospital in Denver one month after severely injuring his foot during the school’s Homecoming parade. A pancake fundraiser is now planned on Thursday, Oct. 30 at the Perkins County Fairgrounds from 5-7 p.m. to offset medical and travel expenses for his family.
The freshman’s left foot was severely injured during the parade when his leg got pulled under the tire of the trailer he was riding on, Ben’s mom Marcia Case said. Although Ben’s foot is healing well, set backs have been seen with restoring his appetite, according to Marcia.
“We’re still asking for prayers, specifically for Ben to eat,” Marcia and Ben’s dad Preston posted on their Facebook pages. “Because of all of the surgeries and medications, he wasn’t able to eat and was constantly nauseous or throwing up.”
Ben was put on a feeding tube last Wednesday with the hope by doctors that he would start eating on his own, but it has been going more slowly than they wanted, Marcia said. However, he is making some progress, and they are hoping it will allow him to go home soon.
“His leg is looking great and the ortho/plastics team are about ready to send him home, however we just need to get him eating,” Marcia said.
Financially, the ordeal has also been difficult for the family. Marcia stated her family has paid their bills for October thanks to the donations that have come into a Go Fund Me account and Venmo, but now November is coming.
“If anyone has any resources I can look into for paying bills, please let me know,” she said. “But most importantly please pray for Ben. That’s the most importing thing right now.”
In Denver, Ben has had several surgeries and extensive rehab, Marcia said, commenting that Children’s has been amazing, and she has a new respect for parents of hurt and ill children who have extended stays in hospitals.
“I have always had the biggest admiration for NICU, PICU, and hospital moms in general. I never understood how they did it and they always said ‘you just do it because you don’t have a choice’, and (now)I get it,” she said saying the experience has also strengthened her faith in God as she leans on Him for comfort and strength.
Marcia thanks everyone for their prayers and donations, which help with travel expenses, entertainment for Ben while he’s in the hospital, paying bills, sheltering their dog, gas back and forth to Denver, a few medical items Ben will need once he’s home that insurance didn’t cover, etc. “The donations are not being spent frivolously and we appreciate every single penny,” she said.
Marcia will continue to take leave from work once they are home to care for Ben full-time until he is well enough to go back to school, she said.
Those who want to send well-wishes to the Case family can do so through Children’s Hospital Aurora website where you can send Ben cheer cards. Ben is now in room 650. Those who are interested in donating to help with the Case’s expenses can do so at www.gofundme.com and search for aid-benjamin-and-family-during-his-recovery. Preston and Marcia are also keeping people updated through their Facebook pages.