Ben's Journey to Wellness: Overcoming Epilepsy Challenges with Determination and Hope

A man named Ben Horne , aged 34 , who resides in Yeovil , Somerset , has been battling epilepsy since his teenage years . Due to a switch in medication , Ben began experiencing nocturnal seizures , one of which led to a tragic incident where his dog , Henry , attacked him , resulting in the loss of his nose , and parts of his mouth and chin . The injuries sustained were severe , and Ben had to undergo 10 reconstructive surgeries , utilizing bones from his ribs , along with skin grafts from his arm and forehead . Despite the shocking ordeal , Ben managed to call for an ambulance and was rushed to Musgrove Park Hospital in Taunton for a 10 - hour emergency operation to salvage what they could.

Over the span of five years and multiple surgical procedures , Ben has been learning to embrace his new appearance and is hopeful that by sharing his story , he can offer support to others facing similar challenges . The reconstructive surgeries involved creating a more substantial septum for his nose , using skin from his left forearm to build the inner part of his nose , and extracting bones from his ribs . Despite the difficulties he faced during the surgeries , Ben remained determined to keep looking forward and accept himself.

After undergoing various surgeries , including one in March 2023 where skin from his forehead was draped over the tattooed skin , Ben is gradually coming to terms with his altered appearance . He still requires plastic tubes to facilitate his breathing , and the next challenge is to figure out how to remove those without his nasal passage closing up . Throughout his journey , Ben has had to deal with public scrutiny and stares , likening it to being naked in public in a dream where he can not hide.

Following the unfortunate incident in November 2019 , Ben 's dog Henry , who had been with him for a decade , was assessed and happily rehomed with a new family . Ben is now raising funds for the plastic surgery team at the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital and Epilepsy Action by participating in tough mudders and 50k races . Despite the challenges he has faced , Ben remains resilient and focused on supporting others in similar situations.