Blind teen with remarkable ‘echolocation’ skills dies at 16

[The Straight Story]

Blind teen with remarkable ‘echolocation’ skills dies at 16

After cancer took his eyesight; he taught himself skill used by bats, dolphins

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, Calif., 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.

“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 (Sacramento, Calif.) Bee in May 2006. He became a worldwide celebrity, an Internet sensation and an inspirational speaker.

http://www.ajc.com/services/content/health/stories/2009/01/22/echolocation_blind_teen.html

[Xipe Totec]

1. Ah hell.

This is very sad.

That kid was amazing.

[WI_DEM]

2. Very sad, but he made more of an impression in the short time he was here than many people do.

[Momgonepostal]

3. I'd heard he was ailing...

That was one amazing kid! My heart goes out to his family.

[man4allcats]

4. I remember seeing a program about this guy not long ago.

It might have been on PBS, but I'm not sure about that. He was a really amazing person. I'm sad to hear he's gone, but he certainly left a mark. RIP, Ben.

[applejuice]

6. I saw a programme he was in here in the UK

I think it was the BBC. They had an older man who used the same technique on too.

Very sad. Thoughts and prayers go out to his family.

[Divine Discontent]

5. wow. how sad. damn cancer. God bless his family. eom

[Wiley50]

7. The Mom is named after Hair Spray? n/t

[alittlelark]

8. I was fascinated w/ him. I watched as much as I could find over the years.

Truly an extraordinary human being.

I feel shocked and saddened.

As a species we have lost an amazing member.

[xchrom]

9. our candles burn so briefly and go out so easily. nt

[AAARRRGGGHHH]

10. This is so sad

I was fascinated by his abilities and his joy for life. My prayers go out to his family.

[fishwax]

11. sad to hear -- that was a pretty amazing skill