Jason Benetti, a nationally acknowledged play-by-play sports activities announcer for Fox community and the Chicago White Sox, is a assured and acquainted voice, peppered with wit.
Benetti, 39, can be matter-of-fact, each personally and professionally, about his personal medical journey of self-discovery and acceptance whereas sharing his life and profession as an intertwined story.
“I’m not normal and I wasn’t born normal,” mentioned Benetti, the keynote speaker Tuesday earlier than greater than 200 company within the auditorium on the Ivy Tech campus in Valparaiso.
“Normal is boring. It’s like unsalted French fries.”
Benetti spoke for 50 minutes and answered questions of an keen viewers for half-hour, as a part of the City of Valparaiso’s occasion marking Disability Awareness Month.
Benetti has cerebral palsy, an element for his steadiness and talent to stroll. But as evidenced by the success of his on-air expertise, he describes himself as “proof of not judging a book by its cover,” a theme throughout his night presentation.
“Compare me to a March NCAA bracket, and I’m the underdog, I know that,” mentioned Benetti, a 2001 graduate of Homewood-Flossmoor High School.
“People see me, and they assume something about me without even knowing me. I was born very sick and I required many surgeries from a young age. But I’m here now, and I’m glad I am who I am.”
When introducing Benetti, Valparaiso Mayor Matt Murphy described him as an inspiration for overcoming adversity.
“Disability Awareness Month is just one way to advance education and awareness of disabilities by introducing new ways of sharing information,” Murphy mentioned.
“We all know someone we can reach out to and learn from, such as family, neighbors, friends and co-workers. Like Jason Benetti, we can all have an impact on others.”
Benetti mentioned he’s grateful for the encouragement of his highschool lecturers, particularly a band adviser, who supplied the choice of him forgoing enjoying an instrument in marching band in favor of doing the saying of the band’s musical set throughout halftime. He mentioned it was “his first experience behind a microphone,” and led to the chance to announce highschool sporting occasions.
“That first time behind a microphone provided me with the confidence I needed, and that’s what we all need,” Benetti mentioned.
“It can be very frustrating when people are always asking you ‘Can I help you?’ even though they might mean well, when really, it’s some confidence that is the best response from those around you.”
Benetti referenced how few individuals there are with disabilities on tv, though he cited 25 % of the inhabitants is categorized as individuals with some type of incapacity.
Max Phelps, 13, of Valparaiso posed a query to Benetti from the viewers in the course of the closing moments of the occasion, asking: “How do you feel you have been an influence to others by your own story?”
“It’s taken time, but today, I’m able to have the ability to just be me, just myself, and by my own example, I can inspire and have an impact on the lives of others,” Benetti mentioned.
Phil Potempa is a contract reporter for the Post-Tribune.
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Source: www.bostonherald.com