Overview

Ben Felten's childhood dream was to become a professional motorcycle racer. Then, at 15, he was diagnosed with a degenerative eye disease and told he would eventually lose his sight. For years his 20/20 vision helped him ignore this reality. However, his peripheral vision began to disappear and at the age of 25 he cancelled his driver's licence. This cost him his freedom and his career. The next two years were the toughest of Ben's life. His grief and anger manifested as violence, leading to time in prison, and depression. But he fought his way to the realisation he must accept the diagnosis and take control of his life - and make a positive difference for others with a disability. As he went on a journey to become a professional athlete, the world opened up for him. At 35 Ben lost the sight in one eye, and at 37 he awoke one day completely blind. His pursuit of an extraordinary life continued, undiminished. Ben has won multiple World Championships in rowing and cricket and is a leader of the sporting community. He was a founder of the Nepean Blind Sports Club and of Sailability Penrith Lakes, which helps people of all abilities get into sailing. Many athletes and Paralympians owe their start to his passion, drive and insistence on inclusivity. Ben's charity, In Sight of Dreams, assists those with an acquired disability to achieve their life goals. Returning to his first love, Ben set out, with former Moto GP rider and Spanish Grand Prix champion Kevin Magee, to break the world blind motorcycle land speed record - which he achieved in 2018, clocking 266.685 km/h. Blind Speed tells the remarkable story of Ben's courage and tenacity in the face of life-changing challenges, and his determination that everyone, with or without a disability, can and must pursue their dreams.

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9781786584922

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Ben Felten (Author) As well as his world blind motorcycle land speed record, Ben Felten has a host of medals and records in rowing and cricket, including the Jim Anderson Memorial Award for Distinguished Service to Sport and Administration. In demand as a corporate speaker, Ben has appeared on prime-time television, made podcasts and is the subject of a 2021 documentary film, Dark Rider, directed by Eva Küpper. He lives with his wife Karin in Penrith, Sydney. Rosalind Reines (Author) Rosalind Reines has a writing career spanning 50 years as a journalist, columnist and author, in London and Sydney. Over the years she's been privileged to have met and written about some of the world's most fascinating personalities from every echelon of society - from rock stars to fashion stars. Working with Ben Felten on the extraordinary story of his life has been a career high point. Blind Speed is her fifth published book.

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