Community Rallying Around Bridgewater Child Diagnosed With Rare Condition

Bridgewater, NJ -- The struggle to give Ben a healthy life began the moment he was born.

In May 2012, as Ben was placed into John and Carrie Falcon’s arms they heard a rattling in his chest. They could physically feel his chest vibrating, but doctors couldn’t find anything wrong.

For the first three months of Ben’s life, he underwent tests to no avail. Then on a very stormy night, during Hurricane Sandy, Ben hit a temperature of 105.

His parents rushed him to Somerset Hospital and that’s when his journey to discover what was wrong really began.

Ben began having an inflammatory episode every single month, which causes all his tissues to be inflamed, leading to fevers from 102 to 108, tremendous abdominal pain and joint swelling that may lead to a shortened life expectancy due to organ failure.

He also produces very thick mucous during fever episodes and has a difficult time eating and breathing (which is exacerbated by the weakened airway).

He was eventually diagnosed with two conditions, tracheal and laryngeal malaysia & Mediterranean Fever Syndrome.

“‘They are two completely different disorders but together they make the perfect storm’” Carrie’s doctor told her.

Due to both conditions, Ben has a severe speech delay.

Since birth, Ben has had more than 65 trips to the hospital.

The medical expenses along with the impact on the family has been detrimental. Carrie is constantly taking time off work to take Ben to appointments and treat him.

“We have spent $24,00 just on babysitters,” Carrie said. “That’s not including medicine, gas, going to the hospital, speech therapy. Everything is just adding up.”

With the mounting bills, the family worries about keeping up with their mortgage on their home in the Martinsville section of Bridgewater.

“We are scared to lose our home,” Carrie said. “We don’t want to lose it for our son Jack. Things are always changing with Ben and it would be nice to have some stability in his life.”

Jack is the couple’s second son, who is 6.

Through all of this Carrie was recently diagnosed with Lupus, causing and even bigger burden on the family.

To try and alleviate the financial costs, the family has set up a gofundme site where it has already generated more than $14,000.

There is also three upcoming yoga classes for $20 where proceeds will go toward Ben.

1. March 5 at 1 to 2:30 p.m. in YogaStream, 44 Spring Street, Princeton
2. March 19 at 4:30 to 6 p.m. in Rise Power Yoga, 80 Nassau Street, Princeton
3. April 23 at 1 to 2:30 p.m. in Honor Yoga Pennington, 800 Dennow Road, Pennington

To donate to the Falcone family visit https://www.gofundme.com/qrsqhvhb