Benjamin just turned 10 — and we'd love to give him the world.
Our little warrior was born weighing just over 3lbs with trisomy 18 and long gap esophageal atresia. Doctors weren't sure how much time we'd have with him. By God's grace, on October 6th we celebrated his 10th birthday — a decade of miracles we never take for granted.
Ben loves being on the go, but long trips are very difficult for him. He uses supplemental oxygen and can't tolerate long stretches in his wheelchair, so travel beyond a short drive just isn't possible in a regular vehicle. An accessible RV would change that. It would give Ben a safe, comfortable place to ride and rest, room for his medical equipment, and the chance for our family to travel together — most importantly he needs to go to medical appointments in Salt Lake City and Stanford. These visits are imperative for prolonging his life. Along the way we want to see family, visit new places, meet new people, share his testimony, show the goodness of God in all circumstances and make the most of every day we've been given.
Our goal is $30,000 toward purchasing an accessible RV for Benjamin. For a few years now we have been praying and searching for an RV that would meet his needs, and we thought we had found the one in Las Vegas — but that RV is now under contract with another buyer, so we are waiting to see how that turns out while we keep looking. Every gift still goes toward an accessible RV for Ben, so he can travel safely and comfortably with room for his medical equipment — most importantly to medical appointments in Salt Lake City and Stanford. Not only would this broaden his horizons, but we would be able to take him to much-needed trach and vent clinics in Salt Lake City and take part in the annual SOFT (Support Organization For Trisomy) conventions and many other events, therapies and life-extending interventions that we have never been able to get to — and along the way, to see family, visit new places, and share his testimony.
On Sunday, November 8th, we're celebrating Ben's 10th birthday with a party in Reno. If you'd like to honor his birthday, we're asking for donations toward his RV in lieu of presents — every gift, large or small, brings him one mile closer to the open road. This will be a triple celebration as we will also honor his oldest brother Jake's 33rd birthday on the 12th and my 50something birthday on the 6th of November.
Thank you for loving our boy, for praying for him, and for helping us defy every diagnosis with faith over fear.
— Joye & family
Follow Ben's journey at https://www.facebook.com/teambbkinkade
