Source
Posted on 01/26/2009 1:13:42 AM PST by blueplum
Aquanetta Gordon knew that her remarkable son's life on Earth soon would be over.
"You can let go," she told him. "You can go home. When you get to heaven, tell Jesus to save that spot right next to you. That's for your mother."
Hours later, Ben Underwood, the blind Elk Grove teenager who dazzled people all over the world with his ability to "see" with sound, died at home with his family surrounding him.
Ben would have turned 17 on Monday. Instead, friends and relatives will be gathering on that day for his funeral. The service is scheduled for noon at Harvest Church in Elk Grove, and the public is invited.
"I am so sad that I won't be able to see him physically anymore," Ben's mother said Tuesday. "But I'm praising God because I know that he is happy right now. So when I think of him, I just smile."
Ben built an enduring legacy after his story became public in The Bee in May 2006. He became a worldwide celebrity, an Internet sensation and an inspirational speaker.
"He motivated people who wanted to see again, wanted to live again," Aquanetta Gordon said. "Ben was blind, but he saw more than most."
A cancer called retinoblastoma took both of Ben's eyes when he was a toddler, but he never let his blindness prevent him from navigating the world.
Much to the amazement of those around him, including his teachers and doctors, he taught himself a skill called echolocation commonly used by bats and dolphins...
(Excerpt) Read more at sacbee.com ...
additional background: http://www.sacbee.com/ourregion/story/1521985.html
Blind Elk Grove teen who 'sees' with sound looks at death without fear
http://www.sacbee.com/296/story/765841.html
Ben Underwood's inner vision
RIP.
This was an interesting individual. Sorry to see him cut down so young. So many of us have it so lucky. It’s good to stop once in a while and take note of it.
Amazing guy. If you have not seen any of the documentaries on him, they are well worth watching.
I didn’t realize his cancer had returned. He was a remarkable kid, not only for his astounding ability to “see,” but mostly for his strength of character. He worked to improve the lives of the people around him. His Mom has good reason to smile when she thinks of him.
This was an amazing young man with more drive and spirit than most people dream is possible. I saw the documentary on him and could not believe how capable and driven he was. It’s a sad loss for his family and all of us. RIP
Wow I never heard of story before. RIP Ben.
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