Benji's ICU recovery

On Monday September 27th, Benji was intentionally and repeatedly struck in the back of his head with a baseball bat, resulting in a fractured skull and multiple other life threatening injuries.  He was taken to a children’s hospital where the surgeons, doctors, nurses, and medical personnel were able to bring Benji into a stable condition.  He was sedated for 8 days and we praise God that his intubation and brain drain was removed yesterday and he is breathing and swallowing on his own. He is still critical condition in the ICU.

Benji is a beautiful 10 year old boy who loves to read, play baseball, caring for the animals on the family farm and playing with his sister

As a result of the attack, Benji will likely be battling to recover for the next few years.   His recovery will include physical healing, weaning off of sedatives and pain medication followed by speech, motor, and cognitive evaluations.  After evaluations have been made, Benji will undergo any necessary therapy to build back capabilities mentally, emotionally, spiritually, and physically to restore him.  Our goal is to give Benji as much of his childhood back as possible and help him transition into his new life. 

During the attack, his mother was also severely injured, hospitalized, and released late yesterday to be cared for by her Mother.  While she is expected to make a full recovery, she has  unable to be with and care for Benji. Benji’s father has not been able to work since the attack in order to attend to Benji, his wife, and their other children. The family will be burdened with months of lost income and an unknown, but anticipated to be very large, medical debt required to save Benji’s life.

Benji’s parents have been focusing on medical attention, necessary care, and prayer to sustain the life of their child.  This request comes at the behest of their extended family who are trying to support the family in any way possible. Any donation made will be used exclusively to aid in the treatment and rehabilitation of Benji and facilitate his family with nearby housing accommodations as necessary. All donations will be given to Benjamin's father, Aaron van der Veen, who will direct these funds as necessary. If donations exceed these needs, any excess donations will be given to the children’s hospital to support the future medical needs of children like Benji and their families.   If unable to help financially, please pray for Benji and his family as they struggle to cope with a world that has been shattered and the life of their child uncertain but known to be in God’s hands.

Psalm 46:1-3

God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging.

 Philippians 6:7

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.