Ben Kanclerowicz.
One of my good friends, and I’m sure many of yours, Ben Kanclerowicz (BTW this is the first time I’ve ever called him anything besides “Ben From Texas”) was involved in an awful accident last night while riding his bike. Instead of trying to paraphrase what happened to him, I’ve quoted part of an email I got from his friend Tristan.
” I wish this was just another random e-mail to tell you about the latest They Aint Ready video, but its some other other shit. Our boy got hit on his road bike coming home from the bar monday night. A girl he knew fell off her bike, BK stopped to help her and a girl in a volvo full on hit him. He’s in critical condition, breathing on a ventilator at a hospital here in Austin. I dont think he’s gonna die, but he might not be the same when he recovers. He’s got a broken collar bone, a few really deep cuts on his arms & legs and the concussion of all concussions. We thought the worst was over last night, but this morning he stopped breathing and went into emergency neurosurgery, removing two peices of his skull to reduce the swelling in his brain. The spot he hit on his head is effecting his behavior. From the moment he got hit, he was pretty much going crazy, refusing aid, trying to rip out his IVs and the whole nine. Whats crazy is they had to knock him out with the same drug michael jackson’s punk ass overdosed on just to treat him initially. So as it stands right now, it pretty much looks like he’s in an episode of House, except this is gonna take alot longer to play out. Doctors’ estimate says that he could be in the ICU for up to two months. Of course, he’s got no insurance and the bill is going to be other-worldly. We’ve thought about a benefit, but I dont think the most successful of benefits could put a dent in what will likely end up being over half a mill in bills, so the jury’s still out on that. Just thought that since you actually know Ben, you should know whats goin on. We’re gonna update the site when we know more, but for now, i’m just giving updates as i get em via twitter. Probably gonna go see him sunday. So there it is, you know what I know.”
Anyone who knows Ben, knows what an amazing human being he is… when we last spent time riding together in Philly and NYC a couple months ago, I actually repeatedly referred to him as the most easy to get along with person I know. I know Ben will make it out of this okay but I figured everyone should know. If you want to send Ben a message or anything, here’s his Facebook.
New Eastern Trailer.
The Primo Scrap-O-licious Edit
Peg Leg/Dig Exclusive Fall Edit.
Troy Merkle - NOS
Lee Dennis In BMXFU's "FUTU".
Damn. He will be in my prayers. Keep me updated.
i’m really sorry to hear that. It’s fuct he was trying to help some1 … but ended up gettin hurt bad.
get well BK!!!!
Get well Ben.
half a mil… holly fuck i am glad i dont live in america. but most important, wish him the best, full recovery and hope he gets back on the bike soon.
Oh my, I really hope he gets better. If there’s anything I can do let me know xox.
that is the worst news ive ever heard in a long while, nearly dying while helping someone else. who rides at that. damn, stay up man.
Anyone with a beard like that is easy to get along with, i.e. Torey Kish. O and Torey also told me once ‘women drivers no survivors’. Hope he gets well soon.
sniff sniff… do i smell a lawsuit? ben is an ok dude BUT if you are riding home at night from a bar, you accept the risk of getting hit. it sucks but it’s life. that shit happens everyday. it also sucks that he was helping someone and got hit. people in cars dont give a fuck about people on bikes. be aware of your surroundings and always keep an eye out no matter what the circumstances are.
Dude my thoughts go out to you.
Get well soon and get health insurance.
I love you, Ben.
Thinking of you.
My prayers and thoughts are with you Ben, I know you’ll pull through.
fuck cars
He should just declare bankruptcy then have some benefit jams to put some money in his bank account.
ya definitely
set up a pay pal asap for domations. i dont mind helping out. you dont have to be mike aitken to get some help. most of us know what its like to go to the hospital with out insurance.
America, no healthcare… What a shitty country.
I hope BK recovers. I know the feeling of a friend who rode having such a bad head injury he was never the same after it.
P.s.
Gotta love America, we’re free, … so free, even free of basic help and care..
America sucks.
im going to punch you in your face the next time i see you.
your a fucking moron
actually, he is right…and i live here lol
the fact of the matter is, this is just one glaring example of the need for health care reform and the public option
i really hope this dude recovers 100%
gotta agree with mark guys. i couldnt imagine having this happen and my family having to sell their house to give me medical care.. what kind of country is that? america is so far behind other modern countries all we can do it laugh at you.. i really hope the guy gets the medical care he has a right to receive, makes me sick to think that a country wont help him live unless he has the coin..
wow jealousy is a bitch, i hope u all die. usa is better than wherever you live
chicken you go die. ive lived in barca, vancouver, and liverpool and the USA is by and large THE worst country out of them all that i have seen. i shattered my right knee in 8th grade while in van and i paid NOTHING. insurance deductables are almost as much as trying to just go to see a physician not at the hospital in this country; if you can even afford insurance anymore. the rich dont give a shit about us poor folk bc they have all the care they need, paid for by our taxes. my stepdad had cancer and was admitted into the hospital more than 30 times over 7 years. do the math. after everything was said and done the bills were over 1.3 million. luckilly my mom’s work ate most of it alond with his 401k and 60g’s in savings. so you tell ME whats fucked up. BEST OF LUCK BUDDY, I HOPE YOU GET BACK OUT THERE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE!!!
chicken is one of those people who have never left their country to see what its like elsewhere.
More people need to hear about things like this – So many people wouldn’t complain about healthcare reform if they even considered for a moment what they would do if they were in Ben’s shoes. How the hell is anyone supposed to pay for something like this, that’s just not right. It sounds like he’s doing better now, but I hope this hasn’t totally ruined the rest of his life.
Thats horrible, ive only hung with ben a few times but he is such an awesome person. Get well man.
Someone needs to start a pay pal acount anything would help.
Get well soon as shit Benny boy, love you dude x
hope you get well soon,
damn this is shity..i remebr ben being a preety cool..i hope he dose alright..god bless the dude
fuck man thats heavy, hope all goes well and he ok,, much love brother
thats harsh as fook
thats why america needs a NHS like we do here in england
fuck man,that straight sucks, get well soon man
Sorry to hear it, Ben is a good guy with a good heart.
why doesnt he sue the living fuck out of whoever hit him? theres some cash in his pocket…
seriously, he needs to get an injury lawyer. hopefully it wasn’t a hit and run.
i hate stupid fucking female drivers
i’m realy sad to read about it. this is so terrible… GET WELL Ben!
We’re all pulling for you man!
could a helmet prevented this? no one will ever know. i feel for him.
Get well man! Sry to hear this.
met ben about a year ago, total nice guy and solid dude and mellowing agent to the greatest show on earth that is kenny and shitpants. Get well soon man.
get well
Get well dude!
get well buddy i’m about to grow the stach back out for you<3
Is this the goofy footed guy who rode with 2-Hip… On mega tour 3 I think??
no.
fuck man bk man! i just saw you this is fucked! you will be dialed man ur to kindhearted to not pull through. me and grady are praying for you
well wont he either be covered under the driver’s liability insurance or he can just sue for the bills? i mean it obviously sucks but…
i don’t know him ,but this is pretty terrible.get well soon mate!
Always been a nice guy since our Buffalo Valley BMX days back around 95-96. Hope your feeling well soon brother.
hang in there ben
Don’t believe him ben, he was talking shit about you the other day! HahaHa I’m kidding man, we miss you and can’t wait to see you and your wicked mullet.
Wow I did not realize who this was until Jimmy Posted the Buffalo Valley statement.
I’m not religious but I’m a true believer in positive thought and good friends and family can get you through these tough times and will make a difference in his recovery.
Ben, please know that my family and myself have you in our thought and wish the best for you
-B-
shouldnt the driver of the car have to pay for the medical bills ?
or was it a hit and run?
dont know him but ill pray for him.
BMX<3
Please have someone close to him contact me through aaron@athleterecoveryfund.com. Athlete Recovery Fund has been through every step of Mikey Aitkens recovery and the injury (as far as the head trauma) sounds similar. There are several other things to deal with when it comes to a brain injury of that magnitude and we have been though it with Mike Aitken and Mike Vincent. We have experience dealing with this sort of thing and information is free with ARF. Let’s hope the woman who hit him’s insurance pays the bill for his medical costs. Please have someone close to him email us and we will help out with a fundraiser also.
get well soon ben!
Ben and I dated many years ago and he’s always been my favorite exboyfriend. We have remained great friends over the years. I woke up this morning to an email from his sister Liz who told me what happened. I’ve had such a heavy heart all day just thinking of my Benny. I’m heading to Austin tomorrow to see him and send him good vibes. It breaks my heart to see something so awful happen to such a wonderful person. Please everyone, keep Ben in your thoughts. He’s such an awesome guy and this world really needs him back!
I now work for a promotional products company and we do screen printing of shirts. Should yall do something to raise money for Ben, please let me know how I can help.
All my love,
Sarah Bearah
houston hopes the best dude!
Shit. You’ll be arlight Ben! Im gona come see you soon!
Also you got one complicated ass last name man haha.
Get well Ben.
I’m down to donate some cash.
The only people who think that the US doesn’t need some sort of healthcare for it’s people have obviously never traveled anywhere else. How can you think it is right that someone should go $500,000+ in debt because some idiot hit him with a car? Just because you are patriotic doesn’t mean everything is perfect in your country. Fucking think for once.
Ben was my room mate a few years back and i visited him from san antonio a week before it happened. I hope he gets well and uses that sewing machine I stole for him from this party we crashed.
Im visiting soon man.
<3
I was out last night when I found out about BK’s accident. First time i’ve cried as a grown man in a while. Shit really hurts when it happens to someone your close to and care about. I had a talk with some of his room mates and closest friends here last night. Everyone is pulling for him…..to Sarah C you are right I think the world is a better place with BK in it and we need him back. Im gonna go ride my bike and think about all the good times i’ve had with this man.
Hey Jeremy. I was at the hospital most of yesterday and it was very hard to see Ben the way he is. He has been my favorite old boyfriend for many years and has always made me appreciate life and made me slow down and realize that I should be thankful for what I have now. While I was in the waiting room, there was a call for Ben and I took it. The lady on the other end said she wasn’t sure if she should be calling and hoped it was okay and then identified herself as the lady who hit Ben. My legs almost gave out on me and I tried so hard to keep my cool. I didn’t give her many details but appreciated that she called…although it took all I had not to want to choke her through the phone. She hurt my Ben, all of our Ben.
During one of my visits with Ben yesterday he moved his hands which was cool to see. It was so hard to not be able to touch him or talk to him. They are trying to keep it as quiet as possible in there for him with very little stimulation. It broke my heart to see all the cords and machines hooked up and coming out of him. His vitals are strong; it’s just the pressure in his brain that needs to chill out. Monday he will get another CT scan and they will take him off the ventilator and wake him up. Let’s all just hope everything goes smoothly with that. It will be a long road for him but his friends are awesome and planning some really cool shit to help him out.
For those who keep talking about the money aspect of this awful event, really that is the last thing his family is concerned with right now. It’s all about getting Ben back to being Ben. Ben is one of the most positive people in this world and he will be taken care of. So let’s all focus on sending good vibes to Ben and keeping our fingers crossed for an awesome Monday for him. He’s got a pretty gnarly mullet going on and for some reason I think he may dig it when he wakes up!!
So please everyone, bike for Ben cause I’m sure he’s pissed he isn’t out there riding right now.
SarahC
Nothing but the best to you Ben, I know that someone is looking out for you. The most fucked up shit happens to the best people.
This isnt a thread to bag on Americas health care problems you stupid fucks. It is to give good vibes to someone that has been injured in a terrible accident. One of the coolest guys Ive ever met that rode and dug on the regular. If you werent so ignorant you would find that most Americans are perturbed with the current health care situation. And I dare one of you shit talking foreigner pussies to show your face around here and start up with that bullshit. Clowns.
good luck Ben.
Why include the second paragraph :/
You’re the only one who has actually tried to initiate a fight on this thread.
hopes and prayers go out. get well now!
Ben is doing awesome everyone and will get out of the hospital this Saturday and move to Out Patient Rehab!!!
From his family, thanks for all the well wishes. Ben has beat the odds and we can’t wait for him to fully recover.
-S
I have health care. I pay for it. Everyone I know that doesn’t have healthcare buys beer instead. Grow up children.
dnt no u but sad to read what happened hope you get better and start riding again
x