Warbird Information Exchange

Folks,
A 15 yo Ice Hockey player was severely injured in an incident during a game today, 6/12. I am his coach and with a few minutes left there was a altercation after the whistle. In the pushing and shoving the players fell and my player broke his neck and they are unsure whether the paralysis he current has from the chest down will improve.
He was flown from Abington Hospital to Jefferson Hospital in Philly.
It has been a tough day for the other kids on the team as well as for myself.
Please keep the Stear family in your thoughts and prayers.
Thanks,
Rich Palmer

Yikes! And I thought the 91 was dangerous... Best of luck to your charge. Hopefully he'll be all right. Let us know how he makes out.

My thoughts are with him. I hope it works out ok for him.

Mac

Ben came out of surgery late sat night. They are calling the surgery successful. He will be immobilized for 2 weeks and then they will see how far and quickly he will progress.
The father told me he hopes he will be able to walk again.
Ben was my leading center and a solid , strong kid.
It is amazing what a moment will bring.
Rich

Ben is off the respirator as of this morning.
This afternoon he has regained some greater area of sensation in his chest. Late this afternoon he has felt some pins and needles in one foot.
Rich

I have been playing for years and have seen too many close calls. This is the type of thing we all hope will never happen. Your player is in my thoughts and prayers.

Cr*p that really sucks.
We're thinking good thoughts!!!!!

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Don't touch my junk!!

Sat morning we are having a Rally for Ben. That will be a week since his injury.
He is currently scheduled for a trip to Georgia for rehab at the end of June. That is quite a trip from the Philly area here.
We are working on many fund raising projects at the moment. You can send him a greeting at;
http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/benstear
2 ice rinks, our hockey program at Central Bucks South and the Glaciers Ice Hockey Club are combining together for Ben to raise funds for his family.
This was a freak moment when 2 kids fell on top of each other after wrestling for a moment. It was unbelievable from watching this that a kid would break his neck from that.
Take care and thanks for your prayers and thoughts.
Rich

By far the most worthwhile thing I've done today

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Don't touch my junk!!

Jack,
Thanks for your post on Caring Bridge.
Today we had a rally at the Middle School Ben attended. There were about 60 or so teammates (He played in 2 different leagues), schoolmates and friends that dropped by. A friend video taped greetings to make into a DVD for Ben to watch. He is not up to visitors yet so this is our only way to get our face and message seen by Ben.
We also met to discuss plans for car washes and plans for bracelets with his name and number on with hockey sticks. We will sell these to raise money.
He now has a web site;
benstear.org
His foundation is now also operating.
Its hard to believe this all has happened and that it has been a week.
Rich

This is a note to all the Ben Stear supporters out there.


This Saturday, June 28th, we will be gathering at the American Car Wash Co., located at 1329 Easton Road Warrington, PA 18976, from 10AM until 3PM for
a fundraiser for the Ben Stear Fund.
The car wash is located near the corner of 611 and Bristol Rd. This is a fully operational car wash so there is no need to bring anything other than dirty cars and smiling faces.
Any of you living in the Bucks and Montgomery County areas of PA plan on attending with your dirty cars and a giving spirit.

Rich