(WSVN) - A devastating accident on July 4 left a 12-year-old in a wheelchair and barely able to speak. Many people thought he wouldn’t survive. The nightteam’s Rosh Lowe has the emotional story in the Lowedown.
Twelve-year-old Devin Bennar is finally home…
Eileen Bennar: “This is his first time in the backyard and the first thing he says is he wants to go fishing.”
Home for the first time since July 4 when Devin’s life changed forever.
Eileen Bennar: “The kids went on the golf cart for a ride like they normally do. And we were just sitting in the garage and I heard, ‘You need to come, there’s an accident.'”
It is very difficult for Eileen, Devin’s mom, to talk about that Independence Day and the accident. There were five people on the golf cart, their ages ranged from 2 to 16. A teenage family friend was driving when they were hit by a car. Devin was the most seriously injured.
Eileen Bennar: “As bad as the accident was, I’ve never been happier. How happy I am to have him home.”
She’s happy because Eileen has these moments when she can hold her son’s hand.
Eileen Bennar: “Happy to have you home, buddy.”
The time after the accident was full of the unknown. Devin only started to try and speak a month ago. His first words to his mom — “I love you.”
Progress is slow and the accident still fresh in his mother’s mind.
Eileen Bennar: “I grabbed one of my neighbors and had him drive me down to the scene where I saw my kids. It’s just like yesterday.”
Devin Bennar: “Mommy are you OK?”
Eileen Bennar: “I’m OK.”
Devin Bennar: “I love you.”
Eileen Bennar: “I love you. It’s OK. I’m good.”
Devin Bennar: “I’m gonna cry.”
Eileen Bennar: “Don’t cry. I’m OK. It’s only the second time he’s cried.”
Even in tears, there is the positive. Devin’s tears, a sign that his brian is healing. And he is now expressing emotion.
Eileen Bennar: “All he has to do is smile at you and have him say ‘I love you’ and you see how hard he tries in rehab and pushes, so he’s my strength.”
Eileen Bennar: “Can you look at Zoey and smile? Say ‘Hi Zoey.’ You like when she licks you?”
A 12-year-old’s smile that brings even more sunshine to this backyard. It is a smile that his mom holds on to. Devin’s recovery will be long. It will be expensive. His family needs help.
Eileen Bennar: “I still pray everyday. He prays with me now and I think they were answered. People probably don’t believe until something like this happens. Without that, we wouldn’t be where we are today.”
Holding hands in the backyard, just happy to be home.
If you’d like to help the Bennar family, they have set up a GoFundMe page at: https://www.gofundme.com/helpdevinnow?ssid=798928607&pos=1#
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