Thank you all for the prayers and encouragement! In the words of his sister Amanda, “surgery went awesome”!!!
Chris is still sleeping, but he should be up in a couple of hours. Thanks again for all of the support!
March 12, 2012
We apologize for the long hiatus, but life has been moving rather quickly these days. Chris has been in therapy for the last few months and consistently surprising his family and friends with all of his improvements.
With tomorrow being his surgery to put in his left bone flap though, we wanted to reach out to everyone and ask for their continued prayers and thoughts. This should be the last of the surgeries for Chris. With this being the success we all know it will be, after this Chris will have more freedom to do what he needs to do to get back to being the independent man we all know he is. Without his left bone flap, he was unable to do a certain amount of work in therapy…with the bone flap, the sky is the limit!
Surgery is scheduled for tomorrow morning, so please start the prayers and positive thoughts as soon as possible. Prayers for rested Doctors and Nurses, quick recovery for Chris and strength for the whole Benear family would be greatly appreciated.
We can’t thank you enough for your continued love and support!
Our Father in Heaven, we thank Thee for our lives and our health. We love Thee Father and we love Chris. We are grateful he is in our lives.
We are offering a prayer before surgery so that Chris may feel Thy love and our love. And Father, please bless Chris and the Benear family to be comforted and free from worry or stress at this time.
We are grateful for the skilled surgeons and medical staff that are all around us now. We ask Thee to bless the doctors that will attend to Chris that they will be inspired by Thee, that their skills be made strong, hands be made steady and sure and that the operation will go smoothly and be a success.
Please send angels and Thy love. We invite Thee to attend and direct the surgery.
Please, Father, bless the surgery recovery time to be pleasant, free from illness, infection and stress. Please bless Chris’ body to respond well to the surgery and all the medications.
Please bless the healing after surgery to be rapid and perfect. Bless Chris to return to normal life and responsibilities as soon as possible. Give him strength that he will use his health to love and serve Thee as Thou hast loved and served him.
Please bless the doctors for their skills and education; and for being able and willing to help us all at this time.
We thank thee for all Thou has given us, and ask for these blessings on all, especially Chris.
This is our prayer. All of this we ask for; if it be Thy will, in Jesus Christ’s name, Amen.
October 6, 2011
We can’t believe it’s been so long since the last post. We apologize for the delay, but it’s been so great having Chris home that we’ve just been focused on enjoying the great times together. Whether it’s cheering the Tigers and Lions on or just sitting outside for some fresh air, life is so much better at home surrounded by friends and family.
Chris is continuing to make improvements in therapy and at home. His walk is getting stronger and stronger and his communication is improving too! Chris continues to focus on healing every day. While he may not think the improvements are happening fast enough, the daily improvements are clearly seen by his family and friends.
We sure are thankful for his hard work and for your many prayers!
September 19, 2011
Since last Tuesday, Chris has been slowly adjusting to being back home with his parents’. He’s been spending some time outside on the deck, in front of the tv watching the Tigers and Lions, and catching up with all of the daily visitors.
Starting today though, back to therapy he goes. He will be in therapy every day and will most-likely spend the afternoons resting. If you feel like treating the Benears to one of your homemade dinners (or picking up something for them on your way home), feel free to check out the Meals for Benears page.
We will continue to update you as much as we can with all of Chris’ great improvements, but for now just know that we thank you for all of your love and support. Having the friends that we have is truly a blessing!
September 14, 2011
It’s official. Chris has made it home to his parents. It was a very long and emotional day for all, but it was well worth it. It’s so great to have Chris in an environment that’s more familiar and comfortable. It’s great for his parents because they will now be sleeping in their own bed with Chris right down the hall…and it’s wonderful for the rest of his family and friends. His sister Amanda will be able to spend weekends with her family and Chris at the same time, his sister Stephanie will be able to swing by more easily after a long day at school and basketball, and the rest of his family and friends will be able to stop by the Benear home for a quick visit just to say hi.
Chris still has a long fight ahead of him and lots of improvements to make, but knowing where he’s been and what he’s accomplished this far we believe that him fighting the fight from home will only help.
September 9, 2011
Great news everyone…Chris is coming home two days early!
He’ll be home Tuesday instead of Thursday…God is good!
September 6, 2011
Three months ago, our worlds changed forever…Chris’ more than any’s.
With Chris’ hard work and your prayers though…Chris is going home!
By no means does this mean the struggle if over. It simply means that he will be sleeping in a more comfortable bed and doing his daily therapies outside of the UofM walls. From home, Chris will continue to kick butt and we will continue to need your prayers. Please know that we know that we could not have gone through this tough experience without you and we thank you from the bottom of our hearts for all of your continued support. You all are truly a blessing!
September 2, 2011
Every other Friday in Occupational Therapy, everyone in therapy works together to make lunch for the group. In the past, Chris was assigned making a salad or preparing the condiments and each week Chris’ nurse saw how frustrated Chris was with his assignment. Not because he couldn’t do it, but because it was WAY too easy for him.
Well, today Chris was finally assigned the grill and boy did he do a great job! Brats and dogs were on the menu and all he had to work with was a little griddle. Most would have refused to try, but not Chris. As always, he did what it took to get the job done. He was told that lunch was at noon and he had everything was done right on time. The brats were just right too. 
Now we just have to get him home in time to work with a real grill!
August 29, 2011
Today, Chris is having his feeding tube removed. With the feeding tube removed though, you better keep an eye on your plate!
Yesterday, Chris’ mom brought homemade meatloaf and coleslaw, cucumbers in vinegar (a family favorite) and some watermelon to the hospital for dinner. Just as everyone got squared away with their plates, Chris’ dad had to step out of the room to take a call real quick. Just as he stepped out the door, Chris finished his last cucumber and was ready for more. With his dad’s plate in reach, he snagged all of his dad’s cucumbers off his plate and ate them up before his dad got back. As his dad walked back in the room, we are all trying to keep a straight face and see if he even noticed the cucumbers being gone. Chris couldn’t hold back from cracking up though and his laughing had us all cracking up in no time at all.
When we finally told his dad what we were laughing about and told him that it was paybacks for stealing Chris’ green beans earlier in the day, he just shrugged his shoulders with a smirk on his face and went for some more cucumbers. He knew he had been caught.
Once we had calmed down from laughing, Chris’ dad reminded us of all of the other food Chris has been keeping from him though…Right now Chris can’t get enough Teriyaki Beef Jerky. He polishes off a whole bag of it all on his own! I guess earlier in the day, his dad sat back and watched him enjoy each and every bite from a fresh bag of Jerky. When Chris was done with the big pieces, his dad thought he would enjoy the few crumbs that were at the bottom of the bag. He poured the crumbs into his hand and put them in his mouth without even questioning it…and without asking Chris whether or not he wanted them. Instantly, Chris made it clear to his dad that he had made a mistake and that next time he better give Chris the crumbs too.
Note to anyone who feels like bring Chris some Teriyaki Beef Jerky:
If you plan on having any, you better bring two.
August 26, 2011
Today, Chris had a fantastic day in physical therapy.
Without anyone touching him he took 5 steps on his own!
As everyone is fully aware, this is a huge accomplishment.
Chris is an inspiration to us all.
