A Sweet Reminder of How Far We've Come!

I was fully expecting today to hit me like a ton of bricks.

We were in Richmond for Bensten’s Flint Hill race yesterday. It was a cool glow-relay race at dark- a great experience, but a new experience. And we all know how well I adapt to new experiences. (Yes, I did worry he would get lost somewhere out on the dark course!) Plus we got home at midnight.

Then this morning my alarm went off at 6:30am to get Bensten to the NRH 5k which is very near and dear to our family. National Rehab Hospital (NRH) is the inpatient rehab hospital that Bensten spent several months at after his accident. They taught him how to walk, talk….they were amazing, and we are so grateful for the amazing doctors, nurses and therapists that worked with him. And there are no words to express the emotions when a therapist that once taught him to get from his bed to his wheelchair sees this strong kid running with no assistance. 

And as parents, we don’t take for granted the fact that Bensten is living his life without assistance. Most of the other children who were at NRH with him had lost limbs. Or lost their ability to control their limbs. Lost their independence. And at today’s race, there were many people in wheelchairs. Lots of moms running alongside as their child wheeled the course- giving them a little help when they hit the uphill sections. I marveled at the kids. And I marveled at the parents. And while I was super proud of Bensten, I felt a little guilty that our outcome was a lot better than some of theirs. Experiencing your child in that capacity is almost like a brotherhood of sorts- and there is an amazing amount of mutual respect when you are all working toward the rehabilitation of your child.

It stirred up lots of emotions to say the least.

And then as we were walking towards the starting line we heard someone yell “Hi Schonies!”

My niece Sophia is in med school specializing in Physical Medicine. I didn’t realize she is starting a rotation at NRH inpatient transplant rehabilitation service and she was at the race to volunteer! My heart was so full. Such a full circle moment in so many ways. I was proud of Bensten. I was proud of Sophia and her hard work to become a physician that will help so many people. And proud of all the people that came out to support such a great hospital.

Did you know that there are VERY few pediatric rehabilitation hospitals in the country? When Bensten was ready to move from INOVA to an inpatient rehab specific hospital, we were given 3 options.

NRH. 

Kennedy Kreiger, located in Baltimore and families were not allowed to stay with the patient. And Children’s Hospital of Pennsylvania (CHOP) which would have meant leaving our other 3 kids. 

I’ll never forget my brothers driving Lance and I to tour the hospitals, while my sister in law Shannon stayed in the hospital with Bensten. It was brutal. I didn’t want to leave our safe cocoon of INOVA. And I certainly wasn’t going to drop my 6 year old with a TBI off at a hospital as if it were summer camp!

Anyway, as much as today did indeed hit me like a ton of bricks, it was a welcome reminder that I am so damn lucky. My life might not always be easy, but I am grateful to be where we are right now. And I don’t take any of it for granted. 

Hope you all have a great week. The menu is below, along with a few pics from the NRH 5K. Bensten came in 2nd….again, so dang grateful. 

xo,

Heather

Bensten and his NRH OT, Katie!!

So proud to be on his team!

My awesome niece, B's awesome cousin and soon to be awesome Dr Sophia Thompson!

Just 12 hours after his race yesterday- he ran a 5K and got 2nd! He's a force!