Benoy Sanil

26-year-old Benoy Sanil had just graduated law school and accepted a job as attorney for the largest law firm in Florida, waiting to join the largest law firm in the nation, the U.S. Army JAG Corps. Catastrophe struck and his ACL and meniscus were torn. He underwent routine ACL/meniscus surgery under the “gold standard” in 2019. Words that haunt him to this day.

Soon after surgery, he complained of symptoms of infection but his surgeon ignored him. Less than 5 days later he was admitted into the emergency room. What started as a routine surgery ended up being 6 weeks of hospital hell. He endured acute septic shock, necrotizing fasciitis, compartment syndrome, and toxic shock syndrome, to name a few. With doctors unable to diagnose the source of infection, he underwent life threatening surgery needing intubation, where he was told there was a high likelihood he would die, if not, have his leg amputated. (Sepsis and Surgery, Sepsis and Necrotizing Fasciitis, Sepsis and Toxic Shock Syndrome)

“They gave me the informed consent. With my legal background, I was always taught to read everything you sign. I stopped halfway and thought, what was the point? I’m going to die if I do the surgery and die if I don’t. I skipped to the end and signed the form. I said my last goodbyes to my family, found inner peace, and went into surgery with no intention of waking up”.

Somehow, he woke up, and his leg was salvaged. He then spent the next 6 weeks surviving the deleterious effects of acute septic shock, enduring several more surgeries and revitalizing his failed organs.

Upon release, Benoy was humbled to be alive, but ended up severely handicapped. Once a prime athlete ready to join the US Army JAG Corps, his dream was wiped. He spent the next two years endlessly rehabbing, undergoing more surgery and enduring the severe and permanent effects of post sepsis syndrome. Coming to terms that he would likely be handicapped for the rest of his life, his nightmares motivated him to figure out a way to become whole again, and revitalize a dream deferred.

CPT Benoy Sanil commissioned as an officer in the United States Army JAG Corps in 2021. While he continues to battle the mental and physical battles of his past, he carries into armed service the fortitude, perseverance, and grit into whatever battle his country requires of him. Be all you can be.