Opinion

Millennium Treasure

How will the 21st century unfold? For me, I hope that it doesn't just unfold, but that each one of us will play a part in helping to unwrap the many treasures that this new millennium will hold.

I don't mean the traditional treasures of yesteryear like precious ores and petroleum products but human treasures! Barefoot Ben is one such treasure. I met Ben while visiting my family on the west coast of Canada.

Some people say he is autistic; however, I say that he is fantastic and I should know. We climbed together 60 m up a huge Douglas fir! Spending hours with me in the treetops, he gave me a glimpse into the marvelous world of eagles and nature. He also made me realize the power within all of us to take what could be considered an insurmountable handicap and turn it into wondrous energy. The social stigma sometimes attached to those labeled as autistic has no place in the swaying treetops.

At the age of 43, Ben has the physique of an Olympic athlete. He is 178 cm tall, and even heavy clothes can't hide his muscles. His eyes are bright, he chooses each word carefully and his smile is warm and gentle.

Ben is not only a world-class tree climber, he is an eagle photographer, marathon swimmer, deep-sea diver and true treasure!

Ben was born in Montreal, the son of Polish Holocaust survivors. By the age of 2 there were signs that Ben was developing differently. He was aggressive and not communicating. Ben's behavior continued to deteriorate and so, in an effort to "fix" him, he was enrolled in a special school that could deal with his problems. It was at this time that he was labeled autistic.

Two teachers from the school could see the potential treasure that lived inside Ben and decided to take him under their wing. He did not begin to speak or interact with people until he was 10. With the love and encouragement of the teachers, he worked diligently with speech therapists until he was 17. He gained a passion for swimming and nature.

Every year since 1984 he has swum in the 43-km marathon around the island of Manhattan, New York, to raise money for autism research. When he is not 60 m up a tree, he is 60 m or more under water photographing deep-sea life. Ben's father bought a campground on Hornby Island in western Canada, the perfect environment for Ben. With the help and support of his older brother, Isaac, Ben started a life surrounded by ocean and eagles.

He has climbed single-handed and barefoot up to the treetops to replace fallen baby eagles. He takes stunning photographs of the eagles from egg to first flight. Ben not only photographs eagles, he rescues them and helps with their nest building. Ben has such energy and passion that he has excelled in everything that he has done. Ben is multitalented and yet humble. He is a true treasure to humans and animals, to all who know him.

Ben is only one of the many human treasures in our world today. How do we unwrap these treasures? We begin by removing the stigma of labels, which limits the opportunity for growth and development, and allow individual talents and abilities to soar like Ben's eagles.

Shukan ST: Jan. 21, 1998

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