SOUTHINGTON, CT (WFSB) – Ben Marek, 11, was discharged this morning from a hospital in Boston and hundreds of people are waiting to welcome him home this afternoon.
His mother, Stacy Marek, says that her 11-year-old son is still alive is a Christmas miracle in itself… but returns home on Christmas Eve to be able to carry out all the traditions of the holiday is a much sweeter thing.
Stacy Marek said: “He survived after failing to survive.
Just ten months ago, the family of 11-year-old Ben Marek didn’t know if their son would survive Christmas.
Stacy Marek said: “His brain tumor was a craniocervical tumor.
It was a rare but treatable brain tumor, but Ben developed complications after the surgery.
“That’s what makes him so supportive in life,” says Stacy Marek.
The entire Marek family held their breath as Ben remained on life support for a month.
“Benjamin is our Easter miracle. Stacy Marek said.
Months of rehab in Massachusetts will follow.
Ben’s journey is recorded on the Facebook page “Prayers for Ben,” where 2,400 people watched his recovery.
Michelle Schroeder is a family friend. “He had his last treatment last week,” she said.
Now that Ben, who has been dubbed Marek’s Easter miracle, is granting his family a Christmas wish, he was discharged from the hospital this morning.
Here he is, in this red McLaren sports car, exactly what he asked for.
This trip down to Mass Pike on snowy Christmas Eve was liberating, but what awaits him when he returns to his Southington neighborhood is once in a lifetime.
Street with more than 75 cars honking their horns to celebrate.
Hundreds of ben’s family, friends, neighbors and teachers cheered him on to return home for the first time since last winter.
The 11-year-old boy, Ben, doesn’t talk much, but his eyes are very talkative.
“Up to this point, it’s been weird for him. He found it difficult to realize he was actually coming home. Stacy Marek said.
Hundreds of people have gathered him online and in person, afraid Ben won’t see Christmas, but here he is and he’s grateful for the positivity and love that got him through.
His message to them was brief, but sincere, “Thank you.”
So tomorrow is Christmas, but in Southington, tomorrow is also Ben Marek Day.
The town council attended the homecoming ceremony and issued a statement shortly after Ben’s return.
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