How Ben turned adversity into artistic purpose

In Bairnsdale, a small pottery studio hums with the rhythmic sound of spinning wheels, the soft laughter of students, and the earthy scent of clay.

At the centre of it all is Ben.

A father, artist, and teacher, whose journey to this moment is nothing short of extraordinary.

Ben’s story begins with a diagnosis that would change his life forever.

“At the age of six, I was diagnosed with cancer, which was quite aggressive and advanced,” he recalls.

“At the time, I was given 10 days to live.”

Against all odds, Ben survived three gruelling years of chemotherapy and radiotherapy.

The treatment saved his life but left him with only 6% vision in one eye and total blindness in the other.

Despite his visual impairment, Ben pursued a trade in fitting and turning after high school.

“I was quite young and had all these hopes and dreams,” he says.

“The main thing I seemed to come up against was people not wanting to see someone with a guide dog or a cane working on their machines.

“I think a lot of the time, you’re just put in the ‘too hard’ basket.”

The rejection took its toll. Ben says he struggled with depression, feeling overlooked and underestimated.

That changed when he connected with APM Employment Services.

“It was a breath of fresh air really.”

“They looked at the person as a whole person, rather than just someone to get off the list.”

Kim, Ben’s APM employment consultant, quickly recognised his talents, not just his technical skills, but his passion for art and community.

“Sitting down with Ben, I actually found out he had quite a lot of skills and certificates up his sleeve,” says Kim.

“He was really fantastic with his hands, woodworking, pottery making, anything sort of technical.”

Together, they built a new path: teaching pottery to others, including people with disability.

With support from APM and The Hub community centre, Ben began running classes for NDIS participants and community members.

The impact was immediate and profound.

“You’ve got people from all different walks of life coming and enjoying what Ben does,” says Clint, one of Ben’s students at The Hub.

Another student, Danielle, praised Ben’s work in the community.

“No matter what your disability is, what your restrictions are, anything can be achieved. He’s definitely an inspiration to all of us,” she added.

One of Ben’s students, a non-verbal young girl on the autism spectrum, found her voice - and her future - through his classes.

“Her mum came in just in tears, thanking us because her daughter had brought home all this information about university courses to do with sculptures and ceramics,” Ben shares.

“It's nice to know that you've been such a positive influence on someone so young and given them a direction for the future.”

Today with APM’s support, Ben is self-employed, running his own business and living in a home he built on a block of land he purchased.

A milestone he once thought impossible.

“It’s really a dream come true,” he says, beaming with pride.

Choose what defines you

If you have a disability, injury or health condition, we know that doesn’t define you.  

If you’re eligible for Disability Employment Services (DES), speak to APM Employment Services for help finding meaningful and fulfilling employment, and to get you to where you want to be.

Your support is unique to you, your goals, and the type of work you’re interested in. It may include:

• help to prepare for work
• job-specific training
• access to health or other local support services

You’ll also get support to search and apply for jobs.

When you’re ready to work, we’ll help with interviews and meeting local employers too.

When you start work, we may also help with on-the-job training, access to tools, uniforms or assistance with transport costs.

Chat with us today and choose what defines you – including a job you love.

Call 1800 276 276 or click Register now below to get started.