“Then I just burst into tears for the first time since losing my eyesight. I recognised from that day the power of speaking up & how important it is to let other people in.”

In this episode of Talkin Tough Ben is in the firing line as Mike asks the tough questions and together they relive his experience of losing his eyesight overnight at age 16 due to a rare genetic disorder, Lebers Hereditary Optic Neuropathy. Ben has now lived his life as a blind bloke for 12 years but the challenges don’t go away. They just change as life changes along the way.Ben shares some of the things he has learned about tackling the cards life deals us alland how he keeps on top of his mental health in the face of struggle.

Talkin Tough is proudly brought to you by Ski For Life, an Australian charity dedicated to promoting mental health, wellbeing & suicide prevention.

You can find out more at https://www.skiforlife.com.au/

If this Talkin Tough episode has struck a chord with you and you could do with some extra support, please reach out to a trusted mate or professional or call Lifeline on 13 11 14

Watch this episode on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kqa2MLkeN9k

Read this episode transcript on the Talkin Tough website https://www.talkintough.com/episodes/ben-pettingill

Follow the Talkin Tough Instagram https://www.instagram.com/talkintoughpodcast/

Follow Legless & Blind on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/legless_and_blind/

Follow Ski For Life Instagram-https://www.instagram.com/skiforlife.aus/

Check out the Ski For Life website-https://www.skiforlife.com.au/

The Talkin Tough team wishes to acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of the lands in which this podcast is developed, recorded & listened to. They recognise & honour the rich cultural heritage, deep connection to Country and that First Nations Peoples were first in language, first in story telling & first in sharing knowledge.

“Then I just burst into tears for the first time since losing my eyesight. I recognised from that day the power of speaking up &amp; how important it is to let other people in.”
In this episode of Talkin Tough Ben is in the firing line as Mike asks the tough questions and together they relive his experience of losing his eyesight overnight at age 16 due to a rare genetic disorder, Lebers Hereditary Optic Neuropathy. Ben has now lived his life as a blind bloke for 12 years but the challenges don’t go away. They just change as life changes along the way.Ben shares some of the things he has learned about tackling the cards life deals us alland how he keeps on top of his mental health in the face of struggle.
Talkin Tough is proudly brought to you by Ski For Life, an Australian charity dedicated to promoting mental health, wellbeing &amp; suicide prevention.
You can find out more at <a href="https://www.skiforlife.com.au/">https://www.skiforlife.com.au/</a>
If this Talkin Tough episode has struck a chord with you and you could do with some extra support, please reach out to a trusted mate or professional or call <a href="https://www.lifeline.org.au/">Lifeline on 13 11 14</a>
Watch this episode on YouTube <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kqa2MLkeN9k">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kqa2MLkeN9k</a>
Read this episode transcript on the Talkin Tough website <a href="https://www.talkintough.com/episodes/ben-pettingill">https://www.talkintough.com/episodes/ben-pettingill</a>
Follow the Talkin Tough Instagram <a href="https://www.instagram.com/talkintoughpodcast/">https://www.instagram.com/talkintoughpodcast/</a>
Follow Legless &amp; Blind on Instagram <a href="Instagram-https://www.instagram.com/legless_and_blind/">https://www.instagram.com/legless_and_blind/</a>
Follow Ski For Life <a href="Instagram-https://www.instagram.com/skiforlife.aus/">Instagram-https://www.instagram.com/skiforlife.aus/</a>
Check out the Ski For Life <a href="website-https://www.skiforlife.com.au/">website-https://www.skiforlife.com.au/</a>
The Talkin Tough team wishes to acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of the lands in which this podcast is developed, recorded &amp; listened to. They recognise &amp; honour the rich cultural heritage, deep connection to Country <a href="https://www.skiforlife.com.au/" aria-label="External Link"></a><a href="https://www.lifeline.org.au/" aria-label="External Link"></a><a href="https://youtu.be/PfWAWxGQu4w" aria-label="External Link"></a><a href="https://www.instagram.com/talkintoughpodcast/" aria-label="External Link"></a><a href="https://www.instagram.com/legless_and_blind/" aria-label="External Link"></a><a href="https://www.instagram.com/skiforlife.aus/" aria-label="External Link"></a><a href="https://www.skiforlife.com.au/" aria-label="External Link"></a><a href="https://www.skiforlife.com.au/" aria-label="External Link"></a><a href="https://www.lifeline.org.au/" aria-label="External Link"></a><a href="https://youtu.be/PfWAWxGQu4w" aria-label="External Link"></a><a href="https://www.talkintough.com/episodes/mike-rolls" aria-label="External Link"></a><a href="https://www.talkintough.com/episodes/mike-rolls" aria-label="External Link"></a><a href="https://www.talkintough.com/episodes/mike-rolls" aria-label="External Link"></a><a href="https://www.instagram.com/talkintoughpodcast/" aria-label="External Link"></a><a href="https://www.instagram.com/legless_and_blind/" aria-label="External Link"></a><a href="https://www.instagram.com/skiforlife.aus/" aria-label="External Link"></a><a href="https://www.skiforlife.com.au/" aria-label="External Link"></a>and that First Nations Peoples were first in language, first in story telling &amp; first in sharing knowledge.

What do you get when a legless lad & a blind bloke walk in to a bar? A couple of mates on a mission to challenge what it means to be "tough".

Talkin Tough is a podcast brought to you by Ski For Life, an Australian charity committed to promoting mental health, wellbeing & suicide prevention. Hosted by double amputee Mike Rolls & blind Ben Pettingill, these two professional speakers and best mates know a thing or two about what being "tough" really means and it’s probably not what first comes to your mind. These conversations aim to redefine how we view the word tough through story, connection & a good ol’ dose of banter so that anyone doing it tough feels more comfortable reaching out for help.

What do you get when a legless lad &amp; a blind bloke walk in to a bar? A couple of mates on a mission to challenge what it means to be "tough".
Talkin Tough is a podcast brought to you by <a href="https://www.skiforlife.com.au/">Ski For Life</a>, an Australian charity committed to promoting mental health, wellbeing &amp; suicide prevention. Hosted by double amputee Mike Rolls &amp; blind Ben Pettingill, these two professional speakers and best mates know a thing or two about what being "tough" really means and it’s probably not what first comes to your mind. These conversations aim to redefine how we view the word tough through story, connection &amp; a good ol’ dose of banter so that anyone doing it tough feels more comfortable reaching out for help.

A couple of mates on a mission to challenge what it means to be "tough"

Advertisement