Going blind at 45: Finding purpose after darkness | Freddy Petrone | TEDxPortsmouth
At 45, Freddy Petrone lost his sight—and found a deeper vision. In this gripping TEDx talk, Freddy shares his raw journey through addiction, depression, and the moment everything went dark—literally. But instead of giving up, he reached out.
Freddy's story is a powerful testament to the healing power of service. “Depression has a hard time hitting a moving target,” he says. With that mantra, he rebuilt his life through helping others, founding two charities (I Got Bridged and Recovery Church Portsmouth) that support people facing the very challenges he overcame. If you’re struggling, stuck, or searching for meaning, Freddy’s story may be the bridge you need to take the next step.
Freddy is often seen walking miles around Portsmouth with his white blind cane, sunglasses, and a backpack, always with a sense of purpose—to help others. In 2018, at 45, Freddy lost his eyesight due to a rare genetic disease while recovering from a lifetime of addiction. He believes losing his sight saved his life. In 2021, he founded I Got Bridged, a nonprofit dedicated to helping those in need on the Seacoast. The term “getting bridged” symbolizes overcoming life’s obstacles. Petrone is also one of the founders of Recovery Church Portsmouth, a church created by the recovery community for the recovery community. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx
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