Featherston fledgling 'a fighter'

After a still-unknown illness led to Brit Featherston’s son, Ben, requiring double amputation on his legs, Southeast Texans began an outpouring of support, according to his parents. Nov. 17 was Ben’s 46th day at Texas Children’s  Hospital, and his parents say he is slowly improving.

“He sat in a chair for the first time in 40-some odd days, so I’m beaming from ear to ear,” said Brit Featherston. “He’s doing good. He’s still got some hills to climb, but he’s a fighter.”

Featherston said his son was able to get to this positive position thanks to the care and support that came from the Southeast Texas community, saying, “My wife and I and my daughter consider ourselves to be the most blessed people there are because he’s alive and talking and able to joke and be sharp. He’s a fantastic kid, and I will bore you to tears talking about him.”

Ben has made it through more than 10 surgeries, reduced IVs and ventilators, and today he is alert, awake and sharp, according to his dad. After starting and stopping and starting physical therapy over the last two weeks, Ben is already recovering a lot of strength and is progressing.

“We have come a long way in 46 days,” a public family update explains. “Ben’s comprehensive organ failure had him as close to death without touching it as one can be. Doctors have shared that upon arrival, if Ben’s condition was a medical test question, the answer would have been one sentence, ‘not compatible with sustaining life.’”

In spite of hundreds of tests looking for the origin of Ben’s illness, it has not and probably will never be determined. Tissue samples were sent all over the country to specialists and yet no identification has occurred. Many, many diseases and viruses were ruled out, including that the origin did not have anything to do with COVID or the associated vaccines. Doctors say Ben’s originating disease is likely a one-in-a-million occurrence.

“As you know, Ben’s legs were amputated just above the knees two weeks ago,” the update reads. “A decision not easily come to, but one at the time necessary to save his life. He is progressing well and rehabilitation doctors have already consulted to get Ben back up and running when he is well, including temporary prosthetics as soon as he is strong enough. Ben smiles, jokes and is dealing with losing his lower legs bravely. He recognizes the instant battle he is in and the longer term battle ahead.

“Lastly, Ben’s strength and ours is derived from you, our beloved friends, family, doctors and nurses, who fight for Ben every day. Prayers work with God’s actions through these doctors’ and nurses’ hands. Last night, Ben had four phone calls and talked with his buddies about food, college, football, and he also told his awesome buddies ‘I love you,’  something, weeks ago, we worried he would never do again. Now he is sitting on the side of the bed with help and working to get stronger. And he told the orthopedic surgeon, when she told him his stumps looked very healthy, ‘Then get me a wheelchair and roll me out of here.’

“To infinity and beyond!”