About Ben
Ben Steadman is your standard six year old boy. He loves dinosaurs, pirates and riding his bike and scooter around the neighborhood with his little sister and friends. He’s the type of boy that can go through an entire box of band-aids in a weekend and still be ready for more action.
He’s also a very gentle and loving kid. He has several blankets and stuffed animals that he cuddles with and can’t go to sleep without songs from both Mom and Dad. He gives hugs when seeing friends and insists on sharing with his sister.
Ben’s life started to change in August, 2005. We started noticing that he was having problems with his balance and eye-hand coordination. He began bumping into walls and using two hands on the railing when climbing stairs. His symptoms slowly became more pronounced and began to include slowed speech and slight drooling. After a few doctor appointments and phone conversations with a neurologist, we took Ben into Children’s Hospital of Denver. They performed several tests of his motor skills, a CAT scan and an MRI. Ben has diagnosed with a diffuse pontine glioma - an inoperable tumor in his brain stem.
He is a very strong little boy and is surrounded by his family and friends. Our family is using this blog to give updates on the progress of his treatments, to share stories and to express our love for such a beautiful kid. We welcome your comments, your emails and your prayers.
My prayer’s are with this child and his family and friends. This is just one of those things we never will understand, but God DOES have a plan. I can’t imagine what mama and daddy is going through and everyone who has the pleasure of knowing this precious child. Keep the faith and God bless u all……..Emily
All my love thoughts and prayers are with your family right now, particularly with Ben. Love, Andrea Oakley
We love you very much!!!! All my love and thoughts go to you and the entire Steadman family!!! If you need anything please let us know.
Shan, ABe and Quinn
Thinking so much of Ben as well as Maddie, Dean, and Melinda — and the rest of Ben’s loving family. Our hearts go out to all of you and our thoughts and hopes remain with you.
Love,
Colin & Roby
We love you all very much and we are here for you if there is anything, big or small, that you need. We think about your whole family all the time and we have decided that Ben is just setting us up to have the next amazing miracle recovery story to tell. I for one am praying, hoping, dreaming, and keeping my fingers crossed that it will all turn out that way because Ben is much too special for any other result.
Our hearts go out to all of you,
the Tylers
A Little Boy’s Dream
To and fro, to and fro
In my little boat I go
Sailing far across the sea
All alone, just little me.
And the sea is big and strong
And the journey very long.
To and fro, to and fro
In my little boat I go.
Sea and sky, sea and sky,
Quietly on the deck I lie,
Having just a little rest.
I have really done my best
In an awful pirate fight,
But we captured them all right.
Sea and sky, sea and sky,
Quietly on the deck I lie–
Far away, far away
From my home and from my play,
On a journey without end
Only with the sea for friend
And the fishes in the sea.
But they swim away from me
Far away, far away
From my home and from my play.
Then he cried "O Mother dear."
And he woke and sat upright,
They were in the rocking chair,
Mother’s arms around him–tight.
Ben, you are an amazing and brave little boy. We will keep you and your family in our thoughts.
Stephanie and Marissa
Ben,
You are so much bigger in the pictures since the last time I saw you. I am sorry I missed you in the office this past week but look forward to seeing you again soon. The website is a great idea, I will check it often and we will think about you every day and send healthy, healing wishes!
Love, The Krauss Family
Hi Ben, I’m glad to hear you are home with your Mom and Dad and little sister. I loved your photo album, you look like you had a great time with your family at Disneyland. I am not a religous person either, but you will be in my prayers and thoughts. If I can help you or your family in any way, I will be happy to do it. Hope to talk to you soon, tell your famliy hello for me and for Alison too. Tell your Dad he did a great job on your webpage too, I’ll be checking it daily to see how things are going. Best wishes,
Love
Jeff and Alison.
Hi Ben and Family,
I wanted to let you know that my boys, Kody (10) and Josh (6) are praying for you and your family (my husband and I are too). We know that God has a plan for you–even though at this time it may be difficult to understand. I am glad today was a good day and brought good news.
Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know. Jeremiah 33:3
Our prayers will continue to be with you.
Love and prayers, Scott, Shelly, Kody and Josh
My son Chase is in Ben’s Kindergarten class. I want to let your family know you are all in our prays. Chase always makes sure he asks God to help Ben to feel better. God bless you Ben and your family.
The Turner Family
My son, Ryan, is in Ben’s Kindergarten class and has shared with us numerous times that he cares for Ben. Please know that we are praying for your family. Could we bring a meal sometime?
Cindy LaVanchy (Ryan’s mom)
Dear Ben,
You don’t know us but we are your aunt Aimee’s Mom and Dad. She has told us a lot about you and what a big boy you are. We have a picture of you playing Capt. Hook. Is Peter Pan one of your favorite books? You make a very good pirate. When I read Peter Pan I liked Tinker Bell and Aimee’s dad like the mean Alligator. That is a very fun book!
We are sad to hear that you are not well. I hear that you are a very brave boy like Mr. Pirate. I am sure that you will put up a very good fight and listen to the doctors and your mom and dad. We will be praying for you and your mom and dad, sister and grandparents,and aunts and uncles every day. God is a good God and listens to all of our prayers. I am sure that He is listening to all of the people Praying for Ben Stedman the Great Pirate.
Affectionately,
Anna and Jim Thibodeaux
Howard and I are back in Oregon but think about you, Ben, and your family everyday. We were so happy to get to see you all while we were in Colorado. We say our prayers for you every night and know you are going to be strong and healthy again soon.
Many hugs, Vicki and Howard
I am thinking about you all and praying for you often throughout the day.
I adore all the family photos and the stories that are included.
What a beautiful family, one and all!
If I can help in any way, even coming and scrubbing you toilet if you would like, pleaes call me!!
You all are in my prayers constantly.
thank you ever so much for the updates!
God Bless You Everyone!!
val baker
B.R.AV.E.. mom
303-772-3337 or 303-775-2584
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