"There will be times in life when you choose your challenges, and there are other times when challenges simply choose you. It's what you do in the face of those challenges that really define you as a person"

~Travis Roy

On June 14, 2008, fifteen year old Ben was seriously injured while playing ice hockey for his high school team. He was rushed by ambulance to Abington Memorial Hospital where he was diagnosed with a broken 5th cervical vertebra and a severe spinal cord injury. He was then airlifted to Thomas Jefferson University Hospital in Philadelphia where he spent 17 days in their intensive care unit.

After being discharged from Thomas Jefferson Hospital he was flown by medical transport to Shepherd Center in Atlanta, Georgia where he spent two months rehabilitating and gaining strength. His mom, dad, and younger brother temporarily relocated to Atlanta so they could be near Ben and offer their love and support.

After leaving Shepherd Center Ben was flown back to Philadelphia to spend one month at Shriner's Hospital for Children to continue rehabilitating closer to his extended family and friends.. Almost three months after his initial injury he was able to finally go home... and start his first year as a high school Sophomore. He was welcomed home by a huge banner signed by hundreds of supporters; it simply read "Welcome Home Ben".

Thanks to countless friends, family members, and the community at large, enough money was raised through numerous fundraisers to completely fund a beautiful addition to the family's home.Because of the generous spirit of so may people and hours and hours of selflessly donated time, energy, and money, Ben now enjoys an amazing new space - completely handicap accessible.

In September of this year (2009), Ben began his junior year as a full-time student at his local high school. Through rehabilitation and therapy he continues to regain strength and function, but most of his time is spent doing homework, hanging out with his friends and girlfriend, and just being a typical teenager.