We had a big family health scare in October.  Grandson Beny (8) got an MRI because he was having headaches.  Doctors concluded that he had a brain abnormality that likely required surgery.  We all went through a roller coaster month that led to a happy ending in a Phoenix hospital, 11 hours before he was scheduled to have a craniotomy.  After studying the angiogram results, the experts determined that an arterial blockage existed, but that capillaries had formed around it to relive the pressure.  The brain seems to be healing itself!  The craniotomy was called off.

I won’t take you through the frightful coaster ride, but want to share what friends, family, and the sports community did to support Ben (and everyone else who loves him).  Pat, Sarah, Emma, Jack, and Beny are a huge sports family. In addition to Notre Dame, they are big fans of the Boston Bruins (NHL) and Bridgeport Sound Tigers (AHL) hockey.  FYI, Beny wears #6 on his team and hockey teams grow beards during the playoffs for good luck.

When word got out about Beny’s impending surgery, there was a surge of support that spread like a wildfire on Facebook.  Friends and family started sending fun pictures with beards and the number “6”, and family friend Joe started a #BeardsForBeny and #6forBeny twitter feed.  As the word spread, the response escalated.

Bobby Hull, “The Golden Jet”

Hockey legend Bobby Hull wrote a note and sent his famous “missing teeth” picture that matched Ben’s current toothless look.  Skylar Diggins, ND woman’s basketball great sent a video clip encouraging Beny.  Former superstar goalie Mike Liut (Pat’s childhood idol when he was with the Hartford Whalers) sent a nice note and photo. Mathias Farley, captain of the Notre Dame football team sent a picture flashing 6 fingers.  The entire pee-wee hockey league in his home town wore #6 on their helmets.  The Bridport Sound Tigers invited Beny practice with them.  When he was released from the hospital in Phoenix, the owner of the NHL Coyotes invited Ben and his parents to the locker room and the owner’s box for a game. The local news Channel 8 did a feature on him, and so did Fox Sports – with a number of cities around the country picking it up (I saw Boston and Indianapolis, but I’m sure there were more.)  Links at the end of this blog post.

I can’t possibly list everyone who sent their best, but it was overwhelming just monitoring Pat’s Facebook feed.  I think it helped us all get through a nerve racking month.

But if there is ONE star that Beny is most crazy about, it’s Patrice Bergeron of the NHL Boston Bruins.  Much to Beny’s amazement, he got a phone call from Bergeron.  Ben said “I always cheer for you.”  Patrice said – “No, I’m cheering for YOU”!  The next night, Patrice texted a picture from the locker room right before his Tampa game. 

Beny said he felt like a king.  “We got this” he said. 

Turns out he did.

Beny takes a call from Patrice Bergeron

Excerpts from Pat’s final post on the subject:

“The power of FAMILY, of FRIENDSHIP, of COMMUNITY, of TEAM, of HOPE, of PRAYER…We believe the power of all these things has not only helped us arrive at the best imaginable outcome, but it has helped us to grow in extraordinary ways.  We’ve shed a lot of tears recently, but today, we are shedding tears of JOY.…We are grateful beyond words and feel so blessed to be surrounded by such great people in our lives.  The overwhelming love, support and prayer absolutely helped us through the feelings of helplessness and fear.  “We got this.”

Love and big thanks to all,

Team Berges.  #grateful, #6for Beny #beardsforBeny”

Take a look at a sampling of the pictures of support:

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Most amazing was the support of Beny’s sister Emma (16) and brother Jack (12).  Despite all the attention going Ben’s way, and the worry they shared – they remained strong siblings.  I’m sure it was hard to stay focused and continue their lives as if everything was normal.  In addition to school, Emma was playing field hockey for the first time in her life – and won the “Warrior” award by a vote of her peers.  Jack was named the sole Captain of his hockey team, despite being the newest, and youngest member.  Congratulations to two important players on Team Berges!!

Brother Jack, old for his 12 years

Sister Emma, the warrior!

As for me, I thought I’d do my part and start a beard.  I thought it would be fun to take a picture every day to send Beny a “time-lapse” view of the progress.  On about day 5, I was kicked in the face playing goalie in a soccer game (by my defenseman) – and no, I didn’t stop the goal.  So I now have a sequence of photos showing the progression of a bruise when a 66 year old tries to take on kids.  If you’ve just eaten, avert your eyes.  #BlackEyeForBeny

Thanks for all your support – we have a new appreciation for health, family, and friends.

Dave and Debra

Here’s a link to the TV News spot on Beny.  http://sportzedge.com/2015/10/29/bruins-star-athletes-across-country-show-support-for-8-year-old-hockey-fan-beny-berges/

Here’s the Fox Sports story. http://www.foxsports.com/nhl/story/boston-bruins-patrice-bergeron-beny-berges-brain-surgery-support-103015