Below is the first of a five part video series that details the life of Ben Underwood.  I first wrote about Ben on my old blog almost 2 years ago.   The original post was lost however after a database conversion in 2007.  I had almost forgotten his story until receiving an email this morning with links to these videos (thanks to Son N. for sending).

Parts 2 through 5 can be found at the links below:

Part 2 – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G1QaCeosUmw

Part 3 – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ikpNZOx5FGk

Part 4 -http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Px-aPnk4ZU

Part 5 – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MNkJ1diTxOE

It will take some time to watch all of these videos, but I highly recommend doing so when  time permits.   The entire series is truly fascinating.

A Change In Title

As you’ll notice, the Youtube videos are titled, “The Boy Who Sees Without Eyes.”  I unfortunately had to title this blog entry as the boy who saw without eyes.  After researching his story this morning, I realized that Ben had passed away earlier this year.  Sadly, the cancer that took his vision eventually took his life as well.

His family has a website in his honor (with more details) at the link below:

Ben Underwood

Learn From His Example

Ben’s story is incredibly sad, but I still believe that we can learn from his example and gain something positive by witnessing the way he lived his life.  Ben’s life story is perhaps the most amazing story I’ve ever seen.  To watch him move freely in this world without eyes is mind boggling.   It is almost impossible for me to comprehend.

As ironic as it sounds, it would be difficult for me to believe this story without seeing it.  Meanwhile, Ben Underwood couldn’t see anything, at least not in the traditional sense.  His senses were everything but traditional however. He is perhaps the perfect example for overcoming obstacles and living life to the fullest regardless of the hand that you’ve been dealt.  Words cannot describe his amazing abilities. I won’t even try.

It’s also amazing that someone who couldn’t see had such an ability to open our eyes.   While certain circumstances are out of our control, we still hold the magic pen that is responsible for writing our own lives.  I doubt that there was a doctor in the world who could have predicted that Ben would become as physically capable and active as he was without vision.  So much for conventional wisdom.

I’ve often said that almost anything is possible in this world.   I still agree, although I’m inclined to drop almost from the previous statement.