This tweet, from a journo whom I went to school with, sent me down an internet rabbit hole.
The tweet is very recent. The story a bit older.
It’s a good news story for at least two people. The fine young Ben and for older Ben at least.
So, welcome to the #WATWB We Are The World Blogfest post for September 2021. Please follow other posts with the #WATWB. And…back to the story.
So Ben Farinazzo is a former Australian Army Officer who did tours of duty in the East Timor peacekeeping operation. He has been living with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and has recovered from a mountain bike accident causing a spinal injury as well.
The bio notes on his webpage tell it better:
I was fighting an internal battle against
post
-traumatic stress disorder, depression
and anxiety. I then broke my neck and back
in a mountain bike accident. It felt like I
was walking through the valley of the
shadow of death.
Three years later I represented Australia in
indoor rowing and powerlifting at Invictus
Games Sydney 2018 and was fortunate to
win two gold medals. Today, I am a proud
Australia Day Ambassador and support
mental health, veterans and sport.
This is a fabulous story about brokenness, reconnection and resilience. You may also want to check Ben’s Youtube channel for footage the like the screenshot of the one featured here.
This is a good introduction by Ben Himself.
Since I posted this another chapter emerged on ABC News Australia about how to two Bens were reunited.
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Simon's still stanza 
Hi Simon – it’s always good to read and hear about people who overcome so much. Ben seems totally inspiring … also positive does come from all things in life, however challenging – and we can all learn. thank you – all the best – Hilary
Yes, he is absolutely inspiring Hilary. Thank you once again.
A beautiful story of triumphing. Thank you Simon. 🙂
Isn’t just so, Debby. Triumphing is it. Hopefully others will be inspired too.
He deserves to be an ambassador for Australia Day Simon. I listened to the video and he is truly inspiring. Great #WATWB post.
Yes, yes, Susan. The video just reinforces the power of the story.
An amazing story.
Yes it is, Norah. Thank you.
Reliance is such an amazing quality. Thanks for sharing this story, Simon.
It makes you wonder where he finds such reliance, Dan. But found it he has.
Wow. That dude came back from PTSD and a broken neck. That’s one tough hombre. It’s got to be an amazing feeling to look back on something you did years ago and find that it was all worth it.
Well said, Eric. When he writes his memoirs, they’ll be an interesting take.