Thousands of prayers were answered this week as Benjamin Pileski, 20, who was critically injured after being struck by a taxi in Montauk three weeks ago on July 5, moved from Stony Brook Hospital to St. Charles to begin the road to rehabilitation.
His brother Zach back wrote on the Ben’s Corner Facebook page this week that Ben was transferred to the new facility in Port Jefferson, where he has begun occupational, speech and physical therapy “to continue to help him to improve,” he said. “He still has a long way to go but everyone’s support truly has helped. With everything that’s been in the news recently, I feel so lucky that my brother has already made it this far.”
Zach said he also wanted to send a “big ‘thank you’ to all who donated to Ben’s Corner on Go Fund Me.” So far, he said, the page has passed its goal of $10,000, with $10,325 in donations to help Ben’s family with expenses as he continues to recover.
“I want to thank everyone for their love and support. It really has gone a long way,” Zach wrote.
Ben’s mother Gwen DeFriest reflected on her son’s progress: “Ben moving to St Charles gives me hope, as every small step has given me,” his mom Gwen DeFriest told SoutholdLOCAL today.
She added that reading a RiverheadLOCAL article about Spencer Shea, who suffered a severe brain injury five years ago after a car accident, gives her hope. “Spencer traveled a similar path several years ago and to see his smile today give us something to reach for.”
She added that she can’t wait to meet both Spencer and his mother Kathleen at an upcoming fundraiser his mom is organizing.
While Ben’s progress has been remarkable, DeFriest said there is still a road ahead to traverse. Of his move to St. Charles, she said, “It give me hope but I don’t see a light at the end of the tunnel yet.”
It’s the prayers that have buoyed Ben’s family’s spirits, DeFriest said.
DeFriest asked supporters to tell her where prayers are coming from.
Responses came from a flurry of states including Ohio, Florida, Arizona and more, with one friend even a Navy shipmate’s mom in Puerto Rico. DeFriest plans to get a large map to show Ben all the locations where people are praying for his recovery.
“I tell him about all the people in his corner who are praying and who care. So, so many people from all walks of life. I know some of them but a lot of them, I don’t. They’re people who hear his story and care enough to pray.”
Ben’s family just wants to continue to thank everyone for their continued prayer and support.
“That’s what’s keeping me going,” his father Thomas Pileski has said.
The accident, which took place over July 4 weekend, happened during a time when Montauk was so flooded with massive crowds and cars that the East Hampton town board is now weighing restrictions.
Members of the Kait’s Angels group have organized a fundraiser for Ben: Kait’s Angels will host a Community Yard Sale on Saturday, August 15 at the Doorhy home, located at 1125 Ole Jule Lane in Mattituck.
