LETTY PETERSON, MD
KAREN MCNEELY, FNP
The best place in town for family fun and a great dining experience!
Hometown Living At Its Best 73
the Bentons received a phone call from someone
at the Shriners Children’s Hospital in Cincinnati.
“We found out that someone affiliated with our
local Shriners heard our story and contacted
them. This hospital specializes in cleft palate
surgeries. The woman on the phone said, ‘He’s a
little older than what we normally take, but we’ll
see if we can get it approved.’”
Bradley and some of the local Shriners
went with Deven to Cincinnati for an initial
appointment and evaluation, and the surgery
was scheduled. “We went back with him several
times,” said Bradley. Finally, Deven had the
surgery. “It took three hours. He was missing part
of his jawbone, so they took bone from his hip
and closed the hole in the top of this mouth. The
Shriners covered everything.” (Deven still needs
some cosmetic dental work, but the Bentons hope
to be able to take care of that in the future).
The boys had only been living with Bradley
and Carly for a few weeks when tragedy struck
the Benton family. “On October 13, 2015,
Bradley’s uncle, Barry Benton, was killed,” said
Carly. “It was a very difficult time for Bradley.
We were just figuring out home dynamics, how
to make the boys comfortable, but also setting
some boundaries and being good parents. Things
were pretty tough for a few weeks.” But the boys
learned from their new family how to endure
deep sorrow and to depend on family for love and
support in such times.
The funeral was the second time Bradley had
ever shared a message before an audience. “I
preached my first sermon a few weeks earlier at
Connection Church in Vidalia.”
After speaking at his uncle’s funeral, Bradley
knew something had shifted in his heart. He’d
won regional championships all three seasons
he’d coached the Bulldogs. He coached seven
state champions, and had five “Top Four” finishes
at state. But not even the passion he’d had for
wrestling and working with kids in the school
system could shake the feeling that his life was
being redirected. “After that, it was like I just
knew that’s what I was supposed to do,” said
Bradley. After receiving counsel and the blessing
of the Connection Church, Bradley decided to
start a Connection Church campus in Dublin and
not to renew his contract with Toombs County
High School for the following year.
Carly had been volunteering from time to
time at The Mercy Ministries (a faith-based,
nonprofit comprised of Mercy Medical Clinic,
Mercy Dental Clinic and Mercy University), but
in February 2016, she took a part-time position
in PR. The following October, she became the
organization’s director.
Deven and Sabastion continued to work hard
in school. “Both boys did well their junior and
Medical, Surgical & Cosmetic Care
for Adults & Children
Peterson Dermatology
538.9080
305 First Street West, Vidalia, GA
www.PetersonDermatology.com
Enjoy hand-crafted
pizza made with
fresh ingredients,
salads, sandwiches,
wings and more.
Visit our two great locations:
131 SW Broad Street, Lyons, GA • 912.403.3336
118 Azalea Road, Suite 6, Baxley, GA • 912.705.3336
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