Miracles and the power of prayer were in full force today, as Mattituck’s Benjamin Pileski, who was critically injured after being struck by a taxi in July, showed marked improvement.
“Ben’s feeling a lot more like himself today,” his brother Zach Pileski said. “He said today’s the second day he’s felt like himself. The day after his surgery he was so swollen, he looked like Rocky after one of his big fights. Today has been the best day since his accident.”
Benjamin had surgery earlier this week but today, he was feeling so much better that his brother took a video of Ben singing “In the Navy”, smiling and laughing, which he posted on the “Ben’s Corner” Facebook page.
The North Fork community has continued to rally furiously for Ben, who suffered a traumatic brain injury in the accident.
Young and old have come together to help: Recently, a yard sale to help his family with expenses was organized for Ben by Kait’s Angels at the Mattituck home of the Doorhy family.
T-shirts and hats, designed by Kathleen Shea, are also being sold to help Ben’s family.
Gwen DeFriest, Benjamin’s mom, said she found hope after reading a RiverheadLOCAL article about Kathleen’s son Spencer Shea, who suffered a severe brain injury five years ago after a car accident. “Spencer traveled a similar path several years ago and to see his smile today give us something to reach for,” DeFriest said.
Shea has reached out to help Benjamin’s family, designing the T-shirts and hats at her Riverhead business, Peconic Bay Apparel.
In addition, a little Cutchogue girl helped in a big way, selling lemonade to show her support for Ben.
Friends and loved ones responded to the news of Ben’s improvement with an outpouring of love and continued prayers on the Facebook page.
