After taking Fall Semester off to recover and rehabilitate from a cardiac arrest, Theta Chi fraternity member Brandon Benesh has been getting back to his normal life this semester.
Benesh collapsed at a restaurant on July 29, 2015, and spent nearly a month in the hospital in a medically-induced coma. At one point, he was without oxygen for 30 minutes.
“It’s surreal,” Benesh said. “I just didn’t think I would make it back.”
Though doctors told him he did not suffer any brain damage, Benesh said he feels different and weaker than normal.
“It is really overwhelming at times, like my mind wants me to do so many things but my body is not allowing me to,” he said.
Since Benesh spent so much time in bed during his recovery, his muscles diminished and walking became more challenging.
"I lose my breath a lot faster. Just going up a flight of stairs, I have to stop and catch my breath," he said.
Benesh said he still does not have full feeling in his legs and is continuing his recovery each day by doing various exercises.
His doctor only allowed him to take 4 credit hours, or two classes, this semester. He sits on the standards board for his fraternity and tries to attend as many meetings and events as he can.
While he was in the hospital on a ventilator, Benesh's skin had an allergic reaction to a material on the ventilator, which caused large blisters on his face.
"Being back in class was kind of intimidating," Benesh said. "I felt kind of self-conscious. I felt like I was being stared at for the scars on my face."
The marks on his face have been healing the last few months and will eventually become unnoticeable.
He said when he first returned to class many people were friendly and nice.
"It was kind of like being the new kid at school and everyone was interested in who you were," he said.
Many of his fraternity brothers visited him while he was in the hospital and continue to support him today.
"My family was overwhelmed by how much support and love we got," Benesh said.
James Kellogg, a junior and member of Theta Chi, said in an email he visited Benesh in the hospital and saw him the day he returned to Ball State.
“Seeing the transformation and progress that he has made makes me incredibly proud but not the least bit surprised,” Kellogg said. “He is the strongest guy I know.”
David Ibarra, a sophomore and member of Theta Chi, said his brothers are supportive and he could tell Benesh is excited to be back.
“It has been absolutely miraculous to have him back; it’s been truly a blessing,” Ibarra said.
Ibarra, who is a musical theatre major, was recently in a play and said Benesh came to see his performance and went to dinner with him after.
“He is the kind of person that will go to great lengths to bring smiles on people’s faces, that is the kind of guy he is,” Ibarra said. "He is the kind of guy that is genuinely interested in the people around him."
Kellogg described Benesh as a caring and compassionate person.
“He is very easy to talk to, and he gives great advice,” Kellogg said. “I am extremely proud of how far he has come and what I know he will accomplish in the future.”
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