Ben Underwood - blind but can see

He likes to go to karate classes, zipping down the street on his roller blades, play foosball and video games, and ride a bike just like any typical teenagers. The only difference that he has from other teenagers is that, he is totally blind! Born in 1992, Ben Underwood was just 2 years old when cancer claimed his eyes. Both were surgically removed. It was a day of heartbreak for his mother, Aquanetta Gordon.

And when he woke up from his surgery Ben said, 'Mom, I can't see any more, I can't see any more'. Holding her tears, she told him in a brave voice by saying "Ben, yes you can see". She took his little hands and put them on her face and continue, "See me, you can see me with your hands," next, she put her hand to his nose and said, "Smell me, you can see me with your nose. Hear me, you can see me with your ears. You can't use your eyes anymore, but you have your hands, your nose, and your ears."

From that day on, Ben has used his hearing, his sense of touch, his sense of smell to conquer a world of darkness. Although difficult at first, but eventually he's able to conquer all obstacles. He has developed the skill to use echolocation as a primary means of navigation. Only a handful of blind people in the world manage to learn this skill, it is not as easy as it sound.

Echolations is often used by animals like bats. When they go out to hunt, they send out sonar signals at a high frequencies and in such rapid bursts that they can hear the signals bounce off mosquitoes in midair, and like laser-guided missiles they can pin point the exact location of their prey. Dolphins use the same technique to navigate in the ocean and to find their meals.

Ben makes a "clicking" sound and the returned sound waves enable him to sense his surrounding. Amazingly, he can even differentiate between a car, a truck or just a few trash bin. Ben's siblings automatically took on roles and helped. His brother Derius, taught him how to find the seems of his clothing and the heals on his socks to put them on correctly. Isaiah who is Ben's younger brother always described our surroundings to make sure Ben saw everything.

Ben also started writing novel in the 4th grade, he writes at a College level, and types about 60 wpm on a regular keyboard. His novel is Science Fiction, and he has written at least 20 chapters. He also has plan to invent video games. This kid is so full of ideas, the sky is the limits for him. Ben's world may be dark, but the most amazing surprises are just a click away. In fact, instead of us giving out help to him, we may need his help when there's a blackout! The more Ben manages to be ordinary, the more he's extraordinary.

Source : benunderwood.com

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