Bravery
Imagine you are 8 and you love sports (in Ben's case, skiing is one of those loves) and not only do you love sports, in Ben's case you love the idea and reality of being good. Now, imagine you have lost your eyesight and a lot of your muscle tone but you want to go skiing. You want to go so bad, but you know deep deep down something is wrong but your will and desire and determination is overriding what you fear and/or what you don't want to believe. On top of all that you know that your dad loves skiing too, and you know how much your dad loves it, so you push for it even harder.
I've attached a video from him skiing four months ago and the one from this Monday. What an amazing difference in just 4 months. He hadn't skied in two months and last year he was skiing El Cap- one of the most challenging chutes at Mt Rose. The battery ran out on the go pro..whoops.
It was amazing and inspiring to be with such a courageous boy. The snow was too soft to ski a chute but we did ski the upper access to Miller Time on the second run.
Afterwards we were just hanging out at the Slide side lodge and although he was trying to act normal about it all I could tell he was deeply heart broken because he knows that he will never ski again like the way he use too.
I will miss skiing with my favorite ski buddy! This post is for him and all the years and ski runs we have had together and how this day on Monday was one of the bravest things I've ever seen and probably both the happiest and saddest ski day of my life.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kDZi87wu-c8
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EE50x2S0rk8
The first video is this Monday and the second video is four months ago
Comments (33)
beautiful tribute to a brave boy.
Thanks for sharing the video Awesome, Ben and Matt!😍 Love n prayers, Mrs. J
What an amazing video of a father’s love and a child’s complete trust of his dad. Thank you, Matt, for sharing these precious moments. Praying for you and your family to make many more sweet memories of laughter and joy. And for God to give His strength and comfort. Blessings in His love, Janie Humbracht (friend of Andi)
Thank you so much Matt for sharing this video. I am in awe of Ben’s spirit, courage, bravery and your love and dedication is so beautiful to witness. Sending much love, hugs and prayers to you, Katie, Luke and brave Ben❤️
My emotions are off the charts. First the incredible bravery of both Father and Son... It reminded me of how God is to us. Matt, you are beyond amazing with Ben. He is so blessed to have you. This journey, though more difficult than words could express, is teaching us all how to find JOY in the midst of the Heartache. I had trouble seeing clearly, as the tears rolled down my eyes. Thank you for reminding us all, that no matter what we are facing in life, we have a choice. Finding ways to make the moments count, and trusting God with the journey. My love and prayers are with you all....Mikie
Beautifully said
So much courage in that little man. He is an amazing skier. I loved this video because it reminded me that we cannot be afraid of what we don't know and life is too short to not be doing what we love regardless of the circumstances. Thank you Ben and Matt!
This is a beautiful day. Thank you for sharing with all of us. I worked with the adaptive ski program at Ski Program for 5 years. Those kids taught me more than I could ever have taught them... We treasure these moments with you. Praying daily, love you all❤️
Thank you for sharing. He is amazing. Love and prayers for all of you.
Inspiring and brave, both of you!
So love this moment. Coming from a skiing family, there is nothing like the freedom you feel on the snow. Go Benny!!!
Amazing, such a courageous and strong young boy. Thank you for sharing, he truly is an inspiration to us all. Much love, prayers and light to you and your family. You know we are always here for your family 🧡🖤💫😘 #Benstrong
Aw, the sweet sensation of being on a ski lift with people you love. This post was a gut-puncher for sure, but also so awesome to see him out there rippin' it up with dad. Love you guys!
Super awesome. Boy that boy can ski. Great job and what a great day to ski.
Oh, Katie! This is unbelievable! I’m so happy you gave him another chance to ski this year. You and Matt are simply amazing people with so much strength. Ben is such a brave and inspiring boy! love you guys!
Wow! You are both amazing.
Watched every single minute with love and admiration. 💗
Just watched the video, again, seeing the friendship, kindness and love that is shared between you two, Matt and Ben. Sending love n prayers, 😍🍀😍 Mrs. J
Bravest boy ever! I’ve watched the video 3 times tonight. You are both so inspiring! I can’t imagine what you’re going through. Hopefully, Ben can feel the love and strength from all who know and love him. You’re amazing Ben!!!! Thank you for sharing Matt.
What a sweet memory for both of you. Ben's spirit and courage is inspiring. Thank you for sharing! Smiles, Diana
Ben is amazing in both videos! So much love - beautiful.
Incredible!
👍 Love my boys! 💙 Amazing skiing, Ben! Matthew you are the man of the hour! Trust, patience and love flowed from the video. Thank you, Lord, for my amazing guys! So blessed.. Grandi 😍
What an amazing day this must have been. I'm so glad Ben got his "wish" to ski a chute again! XOXOX
Matt- Thank you for allowing us a view into such a powerful, heartbreaking, beautiful, moment with your Mighty Ben. Your ability to seek, see, and share the grains of ethereal beauty on the beach of despair you are all walking is almost beyond comprehension. So grateful for for all of you Anderson’s to show us by example the true meaning of Grace, Strength and Courage. Much love to you all. Megan
I too am blessed beyond words for this beautiful post ... how many of us are brave like this and show this kind of courage at 8! We don't know often how to begin to find words to use in heartaches like this, but we know God is Good. We know He has a plan and we have peace in knowing we can trust Him for His promises. We will all walk with your family and stand in the gap to love you, pray for you and support your family in all ways needs. May the Lord mightily bless your family and as said above .... yes, treasure each and every golden moment .... the tears and the laughter .... God will use them all to carry you through. With love all our love ... Lorie Neeser
Words cannot express the feelings I went through watching this video. What a brave boy, what an amazing family, what a wonderful video... Ben you are an inspiration to all of us.
No words except thank you for the inspiration. What a precious picture of a father’s love for his son. You are all amazing! What a blessing you are to all of us. Much love...
Your words and bravery are so moving. You heart is amazing Matt! You inspire me. We love all of you so much.
Hello Ben & family! My name is Francois Cazalot. I am an Audi Reno Tahoe cyclist and that is through that outdoorsy and active family that I heard about you. My wife Ann & our 4 years old twins Kitty & Beau are very active; ski, hike, paddle on the lake, cycling etc. We would love to provide help and company for Ben to experience some more little adventures. We could paddle on the lake or go for a hike on the Tahoe Rim Trail. I often take my guys to the Galena Forest which partially turns out to carrying 90 pounds of screaming fun. I’m a good Sherpa! Please reach out if you are interested in organizing a fun day outdoors or anything else. Here is my email: [email protected]
Matt and Katie, This was so so beautiful, and also painfully heartbreaking. What a super brave boy Ben is!! I can’t imagine skiing that not being able to see much, let alone allowing my child do it. Both of you are most certainly skiers at heart. What a joy to see you doing what you love together in such an overcoming way. We’ve been praying for you all often and our hearts have been heavy hearing the most devastating diagnosis and your daily struggles. Praying that when you are weary your hearts will be lifted, even by small joys or seeing the vastness of the eternal. Praying that you will know the strength and comfort of the Father to whom every single tear, every moment of rage at the unfairness of it all is shared in the depths of his being in his unfathomable love for Ben and your family. Big ((((((((hugs))))))), love and strength to you all, Rebecca Neely and family
Thank you for connecting me to this blog. My office and I are always thinking of Ben, and I have been praying since I saw him here. May the Lord fill you and your family with overflowing grace, love and peace as you walk through this valley of darkness. Somewhere, somehow our loving Father will be able to answer every question and agony. Keep fighting to love in the fullest way possible. I'm going to continue to pray for you all...
OH Matt, Thank you so much for sharing such fabulous go pro video footage of one of your most heartfelt favorite moments in life-skiing with lil Ben... I was glued as well every second,-especially since I was an adaptive instructor many years- and stirred emotions with tears flowing.. Good job on your cues/system!! LIke said above, it's truly beautiful the bond you share together and how he trusts you.. Another great example and lesson on making the most of our moments.. Thank you Ben- through your experience we are all learning amazing life lessons... BTW! Look forward to video footage of you two on the tandem!!!! :-) Much love to you: Matt, Katie, Luke and Ben. You're in my thoughts every day filled with hope and healing prayers..! OH and I meant to ask, Does Ben have any pets? Does he like stuffed animals? Much love, Laura (Auntie Loras' friend)