Visitor Comments

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# Yo

Yo What up, Ben. I like the ice picture. On the map, You are walking over 3000ft of water. Remember me, 11 year old Rafael Cortada? I like what you are doing. Its Cool! Its Outta this Worlddddddd!!!!!!!!!!! Good Luk on your Great Trek across this frozen Ocean!

Rafael Cortada Yacolt Washington USA

By Rafa on Monday, 5 April - 10:46 pm -0700

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# Birthdays

Well That was a pretty cool birthday greeting.All mum's are special.
And I guess yours must be one of the proudest right now.
It's the little things are children do for us that matter the most.

By Jessie on Saturday, 3 April - 04:54 pm -0800

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# A Joke!

Ben...

Q: What's white, furry, rides a walrus, and knocks a ball around the ice?
A: A polo bear!

Keep goin' bro!

-Paul

By Paul on Saturday, 3 April - 04:07 pm -0800

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# Happy B-Day

Hey Ben,

Your mother will feel really proud of you!!

I'm gonna say Happy Birthday to your Mum.
So Happy Birthday Mrs Saunders!!
Have a great day!!

From George Rexstrew
5EAC
Danes Hill School

By George Rexstrew on Saturday, 3 April - 01:29 pm -0800

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# Crossed Fingers

Hi Ben -

So glad to hear you had such a good day! It was so cool of you to send such a touching birthday greeting to your Mum - it warmed our hearts too!

My fingers are crossed hoping you'll have good ice again tomorrow and a little warmth from the sun for your face!

Take care and ski on!

By Debi on Saturday, 3 April - 10:11 am -0800

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# ooppps

SKIN,.... SKIN IRRITATIONS,... NOT SIN. LOL



DB

By Paul Christian on Saturday, 3 April - 03:41 am -0800

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# Wiggled toes

Ben,

I wiggled the toes on my left foot today. Barely perceptible, and a huge strain, but it was a wiggle. Maybe my spinal cord really is healing. Just thought you should know that I've really been gutting it out in physical therapy since I began to read about your adventure.

I hope that you get the nappy rash taken care of. Sounds like good advice from Dr. Lee, hopefully it does the trick. I know from being paralyzed that sin irrtitations can quickly lead to breakdowns and sores. So take care of it.

Happy Birthday, Ben's Mum.

Gut it out,

DB

By Paul Christian on Saturday, 3 April - 03:39 am -0800

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# Ben's Mum is happy, let's make Ben's Bum Happy

Hi Ben,
I don't know if you are getting medical advice from anyone about your "nappy rash". I would be happy to give you some free advice...remember, you get what you pay for.

If you could post a picture of your butt in a dispatch, I could be more specific in my recommendation. Seriously, most "diaper rash" in adults is due to physical irritation, with some "chemical" irritation (watch the hot sauce, OK?) and rarely an infection from yeast/fungus or more rarely, bacteria.

I don't know what you have in your kit, but you should start by covering the rash with zinc oxide cream/paste. You should have some in your kit for protecting nose/lips, etc (e.g. "Zinka" or "Glacier Cream"). The brand that is specifically sold for actual diaper rash in the US is "Desitin". This will provide a good physical/chemical barrier against irritation. Keep it on thick. Only remove it and recover those areas that need to be cleaned because they are "soiled".

If there are lots of red dots & patches of red unbroken skin, consider fungus and treat it with whatever antifungal cream you have, then cover that with the zinc oxide.

If the skin is broken, oozing lots of yellow liquid, with some crusts, then it is suspicious for a bacterial infection. If so, spread on some Bactroban (mupirocin) ointment. Second choice would be whatever antibiotic ointment you have. Cover that with zinc oxide as well.

I hope this helps, If someone already told you haw to fix this, then I apologize for the bandwidth.

Regards,

Rich Lee
(Basecamp physician for the 1999 National Geographic/North Face Everest Expedition)

By Rich Lee MD on Saturday, 3 April - 02:39 am -0800

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# Happy Birthday to Ben's Mum

Hi, Ben
Now that is one cool birthday card! Congratulations, to your Mum, on her birthday. Likewise, congrats on descending into the 700 zone, stunning accomplishment. What a marvelous day, to you and yours, motor on...
Best,
-Scot
San Luis Obispo, Ca.

By Scot Morrison on Saturday, 3 April - 12:43 am -0800

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# Still Thinking of You

Dear Ben

I continue to visit your website every day. You continue to be in my thoughts and prayers. You are doing brilliantly!!

Big kiss and lots of love Carolinexx

By Caroline Baker on Friday, 2 April - 09:29 pm -0800

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# WHAT LUCK!!!

Moki here. As has become habit for me, I started my day with your daily dispatch. And there I saw the words: HAPPY BIRTHDAY! For a brief moment I thought: How could Ben possibly know that it is MY birthday? Then I noticed the "mum". So, I am lucky enough to have the same birthday as Ben's Mum!!! Sorta makes me feel extra special....

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, BEN'S MUM! Had I known I would've saved an extra piece of my cake to share it with you. All the best...

And your son is a true phenomenon! You should be the proudest woman on this planet! I have only admiration for people such as Ben. And to have him honor you with a snow-heart - what could be more fitting than that?

Ben, both your dear Mum and I are behind you and with you in spirit every step of the way! Doubt it not! TRUDGE ON!

Moki

By Moki Kokoris on Friday, 2 April - 09:16 pm -0800

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# Happy, Happy Birthday Ben's Mum!

It's not many mothers who get a birthday card written in the Arctic snow/ice. You must be so proud of your son. In his writings, it clearly comes across what a nice, sweet person he is. That's why he has all these supporters. We see his great spirit shining through.

Looks like a good trek today. It's so great to see that beacon on the route map moving. I remember when I thought it/you would never move between those two darker blue lines, and now look where you are!

I spent some time last night re-reading all Ben's posts from the beginning. Another couple of days and you will have been treking for a month. Doesn't seem as though it's been that long.

Stay safe, try and stay as warm as you can, get as much rest as possible - I hope you have clear skies, little wind, not too much rubble and lots of pans. In other words, press on!

By Gwen on Friday, 2 April - 08:18 pm -0800

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# A HAPPY BEN

Ben:
In the last dispatch you mentioned a little physical problem. I have been reading about hikers on the Appalachian Trail (a very long, well-beaton path from the state of Georgia to the state of Maine ), and they too seem bothered w/a few physical complaints that are similar. One thing about the Arctic, there is no Poison Ivy!

We will all think strong positive thoughts for many miles and a happy Ben tomorrow.

Cissy,
Texas
PS: Your welcome (and thanks for the note)

By Cissy on Friday, 2 April - 08:17 pm -0800

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# Rum.

Hi Ben, sorry but when I saw the word spelled in the snow I thought it uas "RUM" not "MUM". I'm not a heavy drinker but when I saw that I thought 'if I were him, a rum would probabaly be good about now'. It wasn't until I read your latest correspondence that I realized the error I had made. Anyhow, Happy Birthday Rum, errr...MUM! Keep going Ben...

By George Fudge on Friday, 2 April - 07:33 pm -0800

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# So sweet!

What a sweetheart! No wonder Valeria loves you so much! What a son. I hope my son can do something for the whole world to see one day. Happy Birthday Ms. Saunders. I know you are proud and worry about your son. Don't worry, because with all this support behind him, he'll be fine. We will carry him through the finish line. It'll get better Ben, you'll see, just have faith. However if everyday was perfect what would you have to remember? This way everyday is a challenge which makes what you are doing that much more exciting and a real accomplishment you know. Raining here in VA, god knows we will have cabin fever by Monday!

Take care,
christy

By Christy on Friday, 2 April - 07:07 pm -0800

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# Tanti auguri to Ben's Mum! (Happy Birthday!)

Hi, Ben! Nice idea of writing on the ice 'MUM'! How is it going there? If you write to her, add my greetings. My mum works for SERCO, Italy and just recently I went with her to work and met an astronaut! So one day, I hope to add a North Pole man to my list!!!
love from Giulia XXXX
PS 2 kisses for you and 2 to your mother!!!!!!

By Giulia on Friday, 2 April - 06:58 pm -0800

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# Another exciting day!

Happy Birthday Brenda! Don't forget to save some of that celebrating till your adventuresome son achieves his goal! I think there's alot of us out here that already have our bottle of champagne waiting! Wow...Those are some rough ice rubble walls! Incredible! Do you by chance have any powder/cornstarch? Although you didn't specify as to where your rash is...We have a pretty good idea! You poor thing! Hope you get alot of rest & tomm's weather is good. We are sending you as much of that sunshine as we can, Ben! KEEP TRUCKIN" & MAKIN" TRACKS BEN! Peaceout ...Tina..NH

By tina..NH on Friday, 2 April - 05:46 pm -0800

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# Birthday wishes

"Happy Birthday to you
Happy Birthday to you
Happy Birthday Dear Brenda
Happy Birthday to you"
Warm Hugs Babs and family X

By Babs Powell on Friday, 2 April - 05:38 pm -0800

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# Happy Birthday Ben´s MUM

Glad to hear things are improving!
Maybe you could open a repair shop when you go back to the UK..!

By Telma on Friday, 2 April - 05:19 pm -0800

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# Best Wishes.

Happy Birthday Also to your Mum.
From Western Canada.Gloria.

By Gloria on Friday, 2 April - 04:56 pm -0800

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# Nice pick!

Your mother must feel so proud about the e-birthday card. I hope the nappy rush is not causing you too much discomfort….

Keep the miles tucking.

david

By david on Friday, 2 April - 04:55 pm -0800