Stevie Bentley’s Life Story

Stevie was born in 1971 with Cerebral Palsy. C.P. is an injury that occurs during birth that results in a brain injury. He could not crawl, walk or talk at the expected age like other children. He was also born a "blue baby" deprived of oxygen. It was about 30 minutes until he could breathe on his own.

At 18 months, he was taken to U.A.B. hospital for evaluation. At a table conference, the doctor in charge stated that his parents should consider institutionalizing him as he could not be expected to walk, talk, dress or otherwise take care of himself. His parents never seriously considered that option. They loved him very much.

Stevie went to several therapy schools where he received speech, physical therapy, self-help and general education until he was 16: The Center for Development and Learning Disorders "CDLD" at U.A.B. The Cerebral Palsy Center. The May’s Clinic in North Birmingham. The Center for Exceptional Children "CEC" in Columbiana.

Stevie was 13 when he asked Jesus Christ into his life and was born again at Mt. Zion Baptist Church in Westover, Alabama. He came under great conviction and was crying as he crawled on his knees to the front of the church where the pastor was standing. His life was changed very quickly. Gone was the bitterness over his condition; and he had a great passion for Christ and winning others to Christ.

Stevie persevered in his desire to attend a regular school. He was allowed to attend some classes at Shelby County High School for special students. Finally, two years later he got his heart’s desire and started in the ninth grade at Chelsea High School. He graduated from Chelsea High School in 1993. He received a standing ovation when he walked a few steps without assistance to receive his diploma. He later amazed everyone by learning how to drive.

The next year he applied and was accepted to Southeastern Bible College where he took classes in English, Bible Study Methods, New and Old Testament, Homiletics (preaching), and other courses that totaled two year’s of credits.

In 1997 Stevie was diagnosed with testicular cancer about the same time as Lance Armstrong. As in Lance’s case, Stevie’s cancer had spread to several parts of his body. For the next five years he battled the cancer through three major episodes of chemotherapy. The last one, known as High Dose Chemo or Bone Marrow Transplant was received at Indiana University as a last resort therapy. Surgery was still needed to remove the bulk of the remaining cancer. Altogether, Stevie suffered through three major surgeries. In 1999 Stevie’s older sister was murdered by her boyfriend. A devastating event to endure. Also, it appeared that the cancer was returning as there was an increase in a chemical that indicates the presence of cancer. After much prayer and a year after the "marker" had started to increase, it suddenly dropped to near zero. And now after eight years, there has been no relapse.

Stevie praises the Lord for his cure! He has had the Lord Jesus by his side through all of his sufferings. Stevie serves the Lord at The Lighthouse Community Church of Harpersville, Alabama where he is a member.

May his passion to see others come to be saved and to walk with Christ be fulfilled.

You can contact Stevie Bentley by email: ohyeahbama@aol.com

Or find him on Facebook

© 2009 Stevie Bentley