It was just four weeks ago today when Kaci English and her boyfriend, Ben Hardy, were headed to church.
At that moment, their lives were ordinary in the best possible way. They were healthy. They were active. They were living in the prime of their lives, surrounded by family and enjoying everything life had to offer.
But on that Sunday morning, everything changed. In the blink of an eye, the life they knew was shattered.
Ben suddenly collapsed.
At first, it seemed like an episode that could be explained away. Ben had some blood pressure issues, but this? This was different.
Kaci rushed to his side, trying to make sense of what was happening, her heart racing with fear. The severity of the situation escalated quickly, and soon, Ben was rushed to a hospital in Dothan, Alabama. There, doctors discovered that Ben had gone into AFib — a dangerous type of irregular heartbeat. And things only got worse from there.
He had suffered a stroke.
In the moments that followed, Kaci’s world turned upside down. Her mind raced as she processed the gravity of the situation. “Ben had clots in his heart, his brain, and his neck,” Kaci later shared.
In that instant, everything that had seemed so normal and routine suddenly felt so fragile. Ben, just 50 years old, was in grave danger.
Doctors immediately performed a craniotomy, a life-saving surgery where parts of Ben’s skull were removed to allow space for his swollen brain. The medical team did everything they could, but the reality was that Ben’s condition was critical. He was in a fight for his life.
The road ahead was uncertain, and the trauma was not just physical. It was emotional, too. Ben was a strong, independent man — a partner, a friend, a father, and a grandfather. The thought of his life being in jeopardy was unbearable for those who loved him.
Kaci spoke of the difficulty they’ve faced, “Ben is paralyzed on his right side.”
It wasn’t just the pain of the injury; it was the unknown — the long path of recovery, the fear of what Ben might face in the coming months, and the uncertainty of what his future would look like.
Yet, even in the face of this heartbreaking reality, Kaci and Ben’s resilience shone through.
“The past few days, Ben has tried to talk, but it’s been mostly gibberish,” Kaci said, with a touch of hope in her voice. While Ben’s words weren’t as clear as they once were, the fact that he was still trying to communicate, to fight, spoke volumes about his spirit. It was a small, but significant sign that he wasn’t giving up — and neither was Kaci.
There was another milestone, a breakthrough that gave Kaci and the medical team more hope: “Nurses got Ben out of bed and stood him up,” Kaci shared.
It wasn’t easy, and it wasn’t immediate, but Ben was standing. The man who had been so active and full of life just a few weeks ago was now taking small steps towards recovery. This moment, this act of standing, was a powerful symbol of resilience. It was proof that even in the face of great adversity, Ben had the strength to keep going.
Just over three weeks ago, Ben and Kaci were living their best lives, surrounded by family, full of plans, and hopeful for the future. They never imagined that in the blink of an eye, everything could change.
But now, as they face the reality of his recovery, they have no choice but to keep moving forward. Kaci has been a pillar of strength for Ben, even as she navigates the emotional and physical toll that comes with caring for a loved one who has suffered such a traumatic injury.
Their support system is strong, and Kaci’s children — Ayden (18), Skye (16), and LA (13) — have rallied around them, offering love and support in every way they can. But Kaci knows that this journey will be long. She knows that recovery takes time, and she’s doing everything in her power to stay positive, to keep her head up, and to keep hope alive for Ben and their family.
“It’s been a very hard time for all of us,” Kaci said. “We’re holding onto hope.”
Hope is what keeps them going. Hope is what drives them to keep fighting. And in the midst of this unimaginable challenge, Kaci’s unwavering positivity shines through. Even when the road seems impossibly long, Kaci continues to focus on the small victories, the moments of progress, and the love that surrounds them.
Blake Miller, a close friend of the family, once said: “It’s not about surviving the storm. It’s about learning to dance in the rain.”
And that’s exactly what Kaci and Ben are doing. They are learning to dance in the rain, finding strength and joy even in the toughest of times.
Blake and Kaci’s journey is not just about the physical recovery, but about the emotional strength they’ve both discovered through this struggle. Together, they are learning to face each day, to look at life through the lens of hope, and to cherish each moment that they can.
It’s not just about surviving — it’s about living through the challenges, learning from them, and finding meaning and purpose in the process.
Through all of the hardships and challenges they’ve faced, there is no doubt that the bond between Kaci and Ben is stronger than ever. It’s a love story that’s still being written, one full of hope, strength, and resilience.
Blake shared his thoughts with me: “I’m doing amazing!! I’m so much stronger than I was. I’m much more independent! It’s a minor setback being paralyzed, but it’s not all bad — just looking at the positives.”
Kaci and Ben’s journey is one of determination, one of love, and one of never giving up. No matter how many obstacles they face, they will continue to look for the positives, to hold onto hope, and to move forward together.
Please join me in offering your heartfelt congratulations to Blake and Taylen as they prepare for their wedding day on March 14th. 💍
Their love story is a testament to the strength of the human spirit, and it’s a reminder to all of us that no matter what life throws our way, we can always find hope, strength, and love.
Keep moving forward, Blake. Keep finding joy in the little moments. We’re all cheering for you. And Taylen, thank you for standing by his side, offering him the love and support that’s been so vital to his recovery.
The journey may be long, but it’s one you won’t have to walk alone. Together, you will find the strength to overcome.
