Ben Underwood - Intro Video

Summary

Ben Underwood, a 14-year-old blind freshman at Sheldon High School in Sacramento, uses echolocation to navigate his world. After losing his sight to cancer at age three, Ben developed a remarkable ability by clicking his tongue and interpreting the returning sound waves to 'see' his surroundings. He excels in activities like karate, rollerblading, basketball, and even video games by relying solely on his hearing. His mother, Aquanetta, raised him with the belief that he could do anything, inspiring him to thrive despite his blindness, demonstrating extraordinary resilience and capability.

Takeaways

• 😀 Ben Underwood, a 14-year-old freshman at Sheldon High in Sacramento, is blind but has a remarkable ability to navigate the world using echolocation.
• 🤯 Ben lost both of his eyes to cancer just before his third birthday but discovered a way to 'see' through clicking sounds with his tongue.
• 🥋 Despite being blind, Ben excels in various activities, including karate, rollerblading, and basketball, by using sound to navigate.
• 🏀 He can listen for echoes to locate objects like cars, basketball poles, and backboards, allowing him to perform tasks others might think impossible for a blind person.
• 🎮 Ben can even play video games with his brother by distinguishing the different sounds and voices in the game.
• 💪 Ben's mother, Aquanetta Gordon, has always emphasized that blindness does not make him handicapped, and she pushes him to experience life without pity.
• 🐬 Ben’s echolocation ability is similar to dolphins, using the return of sound waves to detect objects around him.
• 🗣️ He can detect objects, like a fallen trash can, just by the sound of his clicks bouncing off them.
• 👩‍👦 Ben’s mother is a strong advocate, reminding him of his unique abilities and encouraging him to embrace what he can do, even without sight.
• 👏 Ben’s story gained significant recognition, and he was featured on the Oprah show, demonstrating his extraordinary skills to a wider audience.

Q & A

Who is Ben Underwood?

Ben Underwood is a fourteen-year-old freshman at Sheldon High in Sacramento who lost his sight due to cancer in both eyes at a young age.

How did Ben lose his sight?

Ben lost his sight due to cancer in both eyes, which occurred shortly before his third birthday.

What unique ability did Ben develop after losing his sight?

Ben developed the ability to use echolocation, making clicking sounds with his tongue that bounce off objects and help him navigate his surroundings.

What activities does Ben participate in despite being blind?

Ben participates in activities like karate, rollerblading, playing video games, and basketball, all while using echolocation to guide him.

How does Ben use echolocation to navigate his environment?

Ben makes clicking sounds with his tongue, and by listening to the echoes that bounce back, he can identify objects around him, such as cars, trash cans, and even basketball backboards.

How does Ben’s mother, Aquanetta Gordon, view his blindness?

Aquanetta Gordon believes that although Ben is blind, it does not make him handicapped. She insists that he should not receive pity and encourages him to pursue any opportunities like other people.

How does Ben compare his echolocation ability to other animals?

Ben's ability to use echolocation is similar to that of dolphins, which use returning sound waves to sense their surroundings.

What impact did Ben's mother's encouragement have on him?

Ben's mother encouraged him by emphasizing his abilities rather than focusing on his blindness. She reminded him of his strengths, such as his ability to navigate in the dark, which boosted his confidence and independence.

How did Ben perform in activities like basketball, despite being blind?

Ben was able to play basketball by listening to the echoes of the pole and backboard. This allowed him to aim and make shots accurately, even though he couldn’t see the basket.

What does Ben's story highlight about overcoming challenges?

Ben's story highlights the power of resilience and adaptation. He found a unique way to navigate the world using echolocation, proving that with determination and support, challenges can be overcome.