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Teen with big heart helps others

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By JOYCE McKENZIE

jmckenzie@tampatrib.com

Published: November 11, 2009

EAST TAMPA - Benjamin is Tari and Jim Carpenter's only child - their "dream" child.

Ben was diagnosed with spinal muscular atrophy before age 2, but their now 14-year-old son's life has never been one that is totally focused on his special needs. Instead, it is centered on making the world a better place for the people around him.

"He just has such a big heart for others, something you can only dream your child will have," Tari said.

Ben is patient ambassador for Shriners Hospitals for Children - Tampa, a role in which he serves as its representative at functions throughout the Tampa Bay area and beyond. It is not only his way of giving thanks for the care he has received; it's also a venue he uses to solicit funds to help other kids with orthopedic needs.

"With the support of his loving family and his Shriners care, Benjamin has no limits," said Bethanne Demas, the hospital's director of public relations, marketing and outreach services. "He's such an incredible kid and an inspiration to others."

For several years Ben, who describes himself as "outgoing, dedicated and focused" and has aspirations of becoming a mechanical engineer, also has been involved with Junior Achievement of Central Florida. While in the sixth grade, he was honored at Busch Gardens as its first-ever Student of the Year.

He has since spoken at each of the organization's annual breakfasts, including this year's, when he served as the event's master of ceremonies, a position long held by WFLA, Channel 8, anchor Gayle Guyardo. And because of his work with Junior Achievement, Ben - now a ninth-grader at King High School - will receive the Student Entrepreneurship Award at the upcoming Ernst & Young Business Hall of Fame Gala in Orlando.

Two years ago, Ben founded Ben's Mends, a program in which he collected and repaired "abused" books using materials he purchased by selling candy bars and bottled water. In turn, he has donated more than 3,000 used books to the Tampa Shriners hospital, a veterans' nursing facility, a shelter mainly for abused women and various school libraries and classrooms.

Because of the progressive nature of his disability and his recent inability to physically repair books to meet his high standards, he has become more focused lately on Ben's Mends Hearts, an offshoot of the program. He reads books to people who are illiterate or would simply enjoy a buddy with whom to share a good story.

King Principal Carla Brunning met Ben last summer when he and his parents visited the school in preparation for his enrollment in the school's International Baccalaureate program. So far he has earned all A's, a track record he brought with him from his days at Mintz Elementary and Williams Middle.

"Ben is just an incredible young man, and he has not let his physical disabilities slow him down one bit," Brunning said. "He's just a marvel, and he brightens my day every day."

More accomplishments

In 2007, he was one of 27 students nationally to receive Nestle's Very Best in Youth award. The honor was partly due to his work in teaching other children about service dogs. In addition to taking his dog into classrooms for demonstrations on how the animal assists him, Ben designed and produced handouts for his audiences.

Last year, he singlehandedly organized a health and wellness fair at the Shriners hospital to show the importance of maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

Another passion of Ben's is making time to nourish his own well-being through his involvement with the Tampa Thunder, a wheelchair soccer team.

It is also how he befriended and made a difference in the life of teammate Ryan Coton, a Hillsborough Community College student.

"I've always been impressed with Ben's maturity and how he really pushes himself," Coton said. "Before I met him, I didn't even know if I wanted to go to college. He inspired me."

Jim Carpenter, who remembers wondering what he and his wife were going do with their son after he was diagnosed with the condition, now believes Ben's life is a godsend.

"He's an excellent kid. I don't know what we'd do without him," Jim said.

Earl Lennard, former Hillsborough County superintendent of schools and the county's interim Supervisor of Elections, has become one of Ben's biggest supporters over the years.

"He's just such a terrific young man, and I admire him so much," Lennard said. "He's bright, he's energetic, he's humorous and he's compassionate."

It is the latter trait that impresses Lennard the most.

"Ben doesn't focus on Ben."

Reporter Joyce McKenzie can be reached at (813) 731-8026.

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