Ben Potter

In June 2011, Ben Potter and his partner Tessa had a baby named Onieviia.

Onieviia was born with a very rare genetic disorder called Ponto Cerebellar Hypoplasia Type 2, which affects motor and cognitive development.

At just 19 years old each, Ben and Tessa are working hard to create the best life possible for Onieviia, and have found Novita to be a huge help to them.

As an apprentice mechanic, Ben’s colleagues were constantly teasing him about his long golden locks, so when Ben’s workmates mentioned they’d pay him to shave his head, they never thought he’d actually take them up on their offer.

Instead of opting to make a bit of spare change for himself, Ben stepped right up to the challenge, and accepted the money to donate to Novita, as a way of saying thank you for the help the organisation has provided Onieviia since she was born. What he thought would be around $400 in donations, ended up raising more than $4,000 for Novita Children’s Services.

By choosing to change what could have been a simple act of fun between mates, Ben has become a wonderful example of how one individual can make a difference in the lives of others.

Let’s congratulate Ben for undertaking such a selfless act to help Novita continue to connect kids with their worlds. His generous contribution will help Novita continue to care for more than 2,000 children with disabilities and other special needs throughout South Australia, providing essential therapy, equipment and family support.

#adelaide #novita #disability #southaustraliangovernment #laborgovernment #labor #featurearticle #interview

– Suzanna Parisi

Originally published for Novita Children's Services (now called Novita - link no longer available)