Ben lives with genetic abnormalities including a growth hormone deficiency, moderate intellectual and conduct disorders, and Apraxia, a neurological speech disorder. As a result, Ben grows at slower rates than his peers, struggles with abrupt changes in routines and weather, and has been working with a speech therapist since age 1. Despite these challenges, Ben is very active and loves playing with his service dog, Dub, coloring, climbing rock walls, watching Larry Sprinkle, and going grocery shopping. Most of all, he also loves to go anywhere he can interact with a mascot.
While Ben’s mom, dad, older sister, Sammi, and caregiver, Kailyn, provide a great support team for Ben, they know that Ben and his goal to “make people smile, laugh, and have fun” make him the perfect mascot for their family. Ben does not have a typical diagnosis or path to follow, but his family “is so proud of what Ben has overcome and accomplished and believes he has unlimited potential.”
