This struggle took a toll on Benny, and in September 2016, he reached a low point, contemplating suicide. After a failed attempt, he realized he needed help and sought assistance. His friend Margaret played a crucial role by taking him to the hospital, leading to Benny’s sectioning and a transformative period of self-discovery.
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That is where he discovered photography.Art and culture are really important. Words can tell the story, but a photo is like using a hundred
words. I have cerebral palsy and
Plan to work with society? Yes, society still didn’t understand him. But in January 2017, he started a volunteering job with Jacksdale Lighthouse to meet friends and to work his way up the ladder in the charity. But this organization had different plans for him. He met Georgie, who managed the Blend Youth Project, and realized the charity had a farm where he started volunteering in September 2018. He grew vegetables and planted a range of trees, such as Christmas trees, windows, and hazel trees
In December 2018, the government decided to tell disabled people that they had to pay more towards their care package. I said, “I can’t afford to pay more towards my support,” so I had to let my evening support go and went back to microwave meals. This is where I was encouraged by John, the farmer, to go along to a comedy show and see if they would teach me the art of stand-up. I was recently nominated for the And I did. From 2019 to March 2020, I achieved something I never thought I would do—to make people laugh, and it was amazing.
At the start of the lockdown, I was told that, because of my disability, I had to stay in and not see anyone. It was hard; I felt as if I was being put in prison and was being punished. That’s how I felt. I felt alone. There was no point to anything, and mentally, I really went downhill.
After a few weeks, my friends heard how bad I was. They wanted to help. Jagdish and Alyn contacted me, and we started the online photography group. After this, I started an online group for disabled comedians, for no real purpose but to talk and meet, so we would feel less lonely. People really liked it.
