THANKS, Gary, for sending this along. . . .a sobering story. . . J.
G'day JustinO,
Just heard that Ben Breedlove died of heart failure on
Christmas Day aged 18. He used Youtube to tell his story just recently. I think
you'll find it most interesting for quite a few reasons.
This is a heart wrenching story, I read it last nite, and Ben knew that he was lucky everytime that he had a seizure since he was 4. He had a good outlook, and knew that death was looking him in the eye. Good Post.
Thanks for posting this. Boy, Ben sure did a lot of living in a very short time frame. I guess there comes a time when we all realize that we have had enough and that it is time to 'move on'.
Jimm. . .may I make a suggestion? ;-) Really, tho, you alone only realy know the reasons for your reactions. . you know that well.
But as an observer, could it be that you identify with Ben because you both have limitations, some name these 'hadicaps'. .with which you had had to live with, adapt and adjust to, find the ways to make your life "normal for you". . .as Ben did. . .?
You can better identify with the feelings he expressed because you had to do the same in your own situation. . .You know experientially what the "challenge" is. . . .
To greater/lesser degrees we all do this. . .one way or another, don't you think JIMM?
Well, as a kid, it does hit home. I didnt accept any limitations at first. Not until the frustrations and bullying began. I think it would be that way for most youngsters.
Ben's video does remind me of when i had a tumor removed from my leg. In the hospital room with me were 2 teen twins, Ronny and Donny, 16 y/o. The were crippled. im not sure why, polio maybe? Their operation was so maybe they could walk again, but it failed. I was in the room when the doctors told them so. All hell broke loose. I was only 9. The full story is on my sidebar.
That kind of emotion stays with you all your life.
The 'challenge' never stops, it's ongoing 24/7. As a kid, i felt most ppl didn't want to hear about that, so i kept quiet.
And i suspect Ben didn't tell all, either.
I am confused a bit. Why did he use written notes, instead of voice? Was there a medical reason? Or was it jus for effects?
Because it seems rather symbolic... in a good way.
A mate from Texas said Ben was from Austin (about 500 miles south of where my mate lives). He said all the local news covered Ben's story there. Out of all the years of seeing news anchors holding it together to cover tragic stories, this is the first time all were teary eyed.
My mate also referred to a Youtube vid Ben posted earlier in 2011 where he said he'd like to travel to Australia..."I've always wanted to ride a kangaroo". Hehe. Yeah, right.
For some reason this comment from Gary to JIMM did not post. . or got lost somehow/where. . .Here it is. . .
Saturday, December 31, 2011 4:39 PM Gary Kelly has left a new comment on your post " Ben Breedlove THANKS, Gary, for sending th...":
By the way Jimm, in that earlier vid, Ben spoke and there were no signs of speech impediments or anything like that. I had the feeling that Ben used flash cards in the later video because he didn't wanna get choked up about emotional issues as he told his story.
10 comments:
This is a heart wrenching story,
I read it last nite, and Ben knew
that he was lucky everytime that
he had a seizure since he was 4.
He had a good outlook, and knew that death was looking him in
the eye. Good Post.
Video of this made it on the CBS Evening News last night as well. Beautiful boy.
Thanks for posting this. Boy, Ben sure did a lot of living in a very short time frame. I guess there comes a time when we all realize that we have had enough and that it is time to 'move on'.
After over 1 million hits on UTube CBS didn't want to be left out of the loop. . . a story certain to touch millions more.
Who could measure the far-reaching affects and effects. . .!
After over 1 million hits on UTube CBS didn't want to be left out of the loop. . . a story certain to touch millions more.
Who could measure the far-reaching affects and effects. . .!
i dont understand exactly why... but this vid stirs a lot of memories and of course, emotions.
Jimm. . .may I make a suggestion? ;-)
Really, tho, you alone only realy know the reasons for your reactions. . you know that well.
But as an observer, could it be that you identify with Ben because you both have limitations, some name these 'hadicaps'. .with which you had had to live with, adapt and adjust to, find the ways to make your life "normal for you". . .as Ben did. . .?
You can better identify with the feelings he expressed because you had to do the same in your own situation. . .You know experientially what the "challenge" is. . . .
To greater/lesser degrees we all do this. . .one way or another, don't you think JIMM?
---justin
Well, as a kid, it does hit home. I didnt accept any limitations at first. Not until the frustrations and bullying began. I think it would be that way for most youngsters.
Ben's video does remind me of when i had a tumor removed from my leg. In the hospital room with me were 2 teen twins, Ronny and Donny, 16 y/o. The were crippled. im not sure why, polio maybe? Their operation was so maybe they could walk again, but it failed. I was in the room when the doctors told them so. All hell broke loose. I was only 9. The full story is on my sidebar.
That kind of emotion stays with you all your life.
The 'challenge' never stops, it's ongoing 24/7. As a kid, i felt most ppl didn't want to hear about that, so i kept quiet.
And i suspect Ben didn't tell all, either.
I am confused a bit. Why did he use written notes, instead of voice? Was there a medical reason? Or was it jus for effects?
Because it seems rather symbolic... in a good way.
A mate from Texas said Ben was from Austin (about 500 miles south of where my mate lives). He said all the local news covered Ben's story there. Out of all the years of seeing news anchors holding it together to cover tragic stories, this is the first time all were teary eyed.
My mate also referred to a Youtube vid Ben posted earlier in 2011 where he said he'd like to travel to Australia..."I've always wanted to ride a kangaroo". Hehe. Yeah, right.
For some reason this comment from Gary to JIMM did not post. . or got lost somehow/where. . .Here it is. . .
Saturday, December 31, 2011 4:39 PM
Gary Kelly has left a new comment on your post " Ben Breedlove THANKS, Gary, for sending th...":
By the way Jimm, in that earlier vid, Ben spoke and there were no signs of speech impediments or anything like that. I had the feeling that Ben used flash cards in the later video because he didn't wanna get choked up about emotional issues as he told his story.
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