Ben had a successful career in the Army Infantry prior to breaking his neck in an accident which left him as a C5/C6 quadriplegic. After a lengthy rehabilitation of 3 years in Perth, Ben and his wife Lauren moved down South to continue the rehabilitation process. Ben describes the years after his accident as being filled with some very low points. In the fourth year after his accident, Ben’s wife Lauren encouraged him to find a job.
Ben approached Forrest Personnel, who gave him the start he needed. Ben was employed on the front desk as an Administration Assistant. Ben had never worked in an office before and found it to be a real learning curve. Through the Federal Government’s Job Access program, Forrest Personnel organised workplace modifications to maximise Ben’s abilities in the workplace. After two years on reception, Ben was promoted to Safety Coordinator for Forrest Personnel’s 17 sites.
Ben is very grateful to Forrest Personnel who he says has “had a massive impact on my life and has given me a real sense of self-worth again. This is something that I was really lacking before, as I didn’t know what I would be able to do after the accident and who would want to employ a quadriplegic.”
It was while working for Forrest Personnel that Ben discovered his passion in life. An opportunity arose when a training company was looking for someone with a lived experience to present on access and inclusion. Ben fell in love with public speaking and has since moved on the become self-employed as a professional speaker, specialising in mental health, resilience and disability awareness. Ben names his company 30 Foot Drop to take ownership of the accident that changed his life.
To add to Ben’s success story, he could never have achieved what he has without the support of his loving wife Lauren and adorable 4 year old son Logan.