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Subscribe to RSSA Texas teen who died suddenly on Christmas Day from a congenital heart condition, is touching thousands of people around the world with a video he posted shortly before his death. KXAN's Erin Cargile reports.
Have you cried yet today? No? Here, we can fix that.
Ben Breedlove, an 18-year-old high school senior in Austin, Texas, died on Christmas Day of a heart condition called hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, something he'd had all of his life. But he left behind two wordless videos on his YouTube channel, in which he used a series of note cards with handwritten messages to tell his life story, including the three times he "cheated death." His family discovered the videos in the hours after his death, reports NBC's Austin, Texas, affiliate station, KXAN.
"The first time I cheated death was when I was 4," Ben silently says with his notecards. During the videos, the haunting, minimalist cover of the 1980s hit "Mad World," composed by Michael Andrews and Gary Jules for the 2001 film "Donnie Darko," plays. "I had a life-threatening siezure (sic). Scary right? I don't remember too much from that day. Except one thing that I will never forget."
He says he remembers being rushed down the hallway in a wheelchair, with nurses and his mother beside him, when he looked up -- and saw a blindingly bright light. He pointed it out to his mother, who didn't see anything there.
Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy causes the patient's heart muscles to thicken, making it harder for blood to leave the heart, which means the heart must work harder to pump enough blood. It's a condition that can affect all ages, but it's most severe in younger patients -- like Ben.
Later in the videos, Ben tells us about a second near-death experience he had this summer: He went into cardiac arrest while having a routine tonsil surgery. "It was a miracle they brought me back," says the notecard. As he takes it down, Ben flashes an adorable grin. The next card read, "I was scared to die, but am SO glad I didn't." (Cue a second adorable smile.) "After this I tried so hard to just forget about it and not worry."
Those smiles caught the eye of Ben's dad, Shawn Breedlove. He tells KXAN, "One of the things I noticed about that video is he was very confident in what he was sharing that day. And he wasn't sad when he made that video.
"I spoke to a friend who was in the room with him when he made that video and he was just enjoying what he was doing but it was obviously a very serious subject matter for him to discuss and for him to share with other people."
Earlier this month, Ben "cheated death" a third time -- he passed out at school. He regained consciousness, though he couldn't move or speak, to find himself surrounded by paramedics.
"I heard them say, 'he's not breathing, his heart is stopped & he has no pulse."
"I really thought to myself, this is it. I'm dying."
This time, he had a detailed dream, or vision: He was in a white room that had no walls. "I was wearing a really nice suit, and so was my fav rapper, Kid Cudi." (Another adorable grin.) "Why he was the only one there with me, I'm still trying to figure out." Ben's favorite Kid Cudi song, "Mr. Rager," started to play. The song contains the lyrics, "When will the fantasy end? When will the heaven begin?" At those words, the vision of Kid Cudi told Ben, "Go now."
Ben woke up, but the last four notecards in the video say:
"I didn't want to leave that place."
"I wish I NEVER woke up."
"Do you believe in angels or God?"
"I do."
Kid Cudi himself heard of his role in Ben's dream, and responded to the teenager's videos on his Tumblr.
Iam so sad about Ben Breedlove. I watched the video he left for the world to see, and him seeing me in detail, in his vision really warmed my heart. I broke down, Iam to tears because I hate how life is so unfair. This has really touched my heart in a way I cant describe, this is why I do what I do. Why I write my life, and why I love you all so much. Life is really @!$%#ed up sometimes, but I know Ben is at Peace, and I hope he gets a chance to sit and talk with my Dad. We love you Ben. Forever. Thank you for loving me. To Ben’s family, you raised a real hero, he’s definately mine. You have my love.
Other viewers have posted on Ben's YouTube channel messages for Ben and the Breedlove family:
"You will be missed dearly. You are a YouTuber who will never die in our memories."
"nothing but love and good wishes sending to your family and friends. RIP ben. you made a difference in this world!"
His mother, Deanne Breedlove, says her son died after the family opened their Christmas presents.
"I just think Ben opened doors for a lot of people to think about something that maybe they've never thought about before," Deanne Breedlove told KXAN. "And that to me is a wonderful gift."
Watch Part 1 of Ben Breedlove's video message, which he called, "This is my story."
Share your words of support for Ben's family over on our Facebook page.
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:-(
:-)
why not smile? the kid knew his life would be short and he lived it up while he could. and Kid Cudi is a freakin MAN. Guess this is a story to make you appreciate how long the rest of us can live.
I'll say one thing - Live your life how you want to, I'm not judging. But you should never purposely take other lives with you.
Cudos to this kid.
This whole story is a giant FAKE! Suckers!
In the first posts we have someone who thinks it's a fake and a Nigerian trolling for a lonely guy to fleece for a few bucks. You know, one of you needs to get over himself and the other is a true bottom feeder. Karma will catch up to you both.
I am proud to know that people like Ben still exist. I am an Iraq war veteran and have been through some tough times; Ben inspires me. The thought that Ben enjoyed a great Christmas with his family and helped so many, justifies my hardships. Good job Ben, good job.
Wow...what a story.
This young man had great courage
He had a sustaining drive to fight to live so that his life would be as long as possible.
He gives tremendous inspiration to the adage that "life should be lived to the fullest."
No day is promised to us.
Thankfully, he had great spirit boosting family support.
...Well said, Jordan.
People like Ben confirm that old axiom of mine. "Live each day as it it were your last, and one day you will be right"
God Bless you Ben. You are now in the Heaven you dreamed of.
Ben was a courageous young man who helped others cope with the fear of death by telling his story. Peace to him and to his family and friends.
Often the best comments are the collapsed.
You can't do anything about the length of your life, but you can do something about its width and depth.
- Shira Tehrani
Sad that this young man died, but glad that he had faith in our Lord ,even in the midst of his demise.
You are kidding, right? What kind of a God would take a kid on Christmas? This kid died because Eve listened to the bad advise of a talking snake. Really? Pro-life God kills us for apple eating? I have lost a child so I really feel for his family, but to say it's ok because he believed in the fairy tail of religion?
your lord helps quarterbacks win games but lets kids die?
Curious. I didn't catch which lord he was endorsing.
How do you know it was your lord and not somebody else's?
Meanwhile, elsewhere in the world, someone killed someone else because of 'their' lord.
God is the kind of God that didn't take him the 17 other Christmases he had. God is the kind of God who gives people the opportunity to inspire others. Long life doesn't necessarily mean full life. This guy probably got more out of 18 years than I have gotten in 27. I am so sorry for your loss and I do not wish that for anyone but God understands your pain because he experienced the same pain himself.
I'll pray for you,cuz its obvious your lost..
everything has a purpose.you may say "what kind of god would do this?",but his parents were lucky to have the blessing of having him for 18 years.i know someone who only had there daughter for 1 year,yet they praised God for the wondreful gift of having her in her life,dont expect blessings,but cherish the blessings the Lord has already graciously given you.
Its sad to see someone so bitter that when they read a story like this they choose to spat in the faces of the family that believes they will see their child again. Ive died once from a heart attack last year myself, I seen something as well. Once i was like you, i believed we were worm food. I couldn't look past logic.I watched my father die with NO belief that I would ever see him again. But guess what, I did. Was it a hallucination caused by lack of oxygen to my brain? Possibily but I doubt it, and even if it was, who said thoughts and dreams arent real? That they don't effect the physical enviroment around them? If you dispute that they dont, research MRI machines. ;) Im assuming you became an atheist because you have an open mind, now that your an atheist, it would be wise to keep an open mind. Truth is, not a single one of us left alive knows for certian what any of this is, Or if there is a god or an afterlife. But believe me, Im willing to take this kids views and perceptions that he left behind ALOT more seriously then yours. By the way, Im NOT a christian.
What a bunch of scumbags trying to use this story to attack religion. I could care less about organized religion, but this kids religion got him through all of his issues, that right there makes religion somewhat of a good thing.
Everyone that is anti-religion just to feel good about their selfishness are just pathetic.
A man who was a whole lot smarter than me had something to say about this. I quote, "People all get a life, kid. Some of them are long, some are way too short but it was what they drew in the deal. Long or short, the important thing is how they're remembered, who loved 'em and why." The young man knew what his life was worth and managed to convey it to the people who counted.
God is a merciful God who does not take life but gives life. God is a loving God who blesses us. This young man was blessed because he knew his father in heaven. Heaven is a beautiful place and he knew that. He is not suffering but in a wonderful place where there is an everlasting peace. We do not die but we continue on in a new realm. A heavenly realm where we are free from pain and suffering. Ben was blessed to be released from fear and his earthly body which caused him pain. He is free now. Do not be sad for him but be happy. No doubt he is. Yes, it is difficult for those left behind if they look at death as an end. It is not an end but a continuation of our lives. Ben will reunite with his family one day in the spiritual realm and it will be a joyful day for them. Ben would not want his family to be sad but to be happy just as he did when he was here on earth. He left a message of hope that should be spread around the world for all to see. He saw the light (God) at the age of four. God was always with him. He was truly blessed and so was his family to have such a beautiful spirit in their midst. May God continue to bless his family with love and happiness.
Sad story great kid hes in heaven right now. Why do people want to ruin it with their stupid political or theological theory? You Bill Mahers of the world think your so superior and above everyone. The truth is your scared to death, so scared that your wrong and you know it, thats whats sad. You preach about equality and respecting everyones right to live how they want to live, except when it comes to something you disagree with like..like faith. Who are you to take away anyones faith, why cant you respect it and just shut your stupid mouth. Most Christians and people of faith take the high road and never respond to idiots, but Im not one of those. I will confront any person that attacks my God. I will win too, not only am I smarter I am stronger and in any face to face confrontation you will loose. Go ahead and comment and attack me online like the cowards that you are, you all hide behind words. God bless this young man and the life he lived, he gives me hope that society has not fallen entirely from grace.
I believe that he believed and it gave him comfort, so that's enough. Near death and death followed by resuscitation one to life is said to be an amazing experience--with or without a religion belief. If there's something beyond, I doubt that it's anything that we grasp and surely isn't in some book of contradictions.
Live. Be your best and that will be enough.
Faith is precisely faith because it is what you as an individual believe and where you put down the weight of your hope, joy and peace. It is what you believe beyond all reason or argument. To have faith is to have the peace that passes all understanding. To you who want to denigrade anothers faith, you have my profound pity. How horrible to have to live your life with such a sense of futility and emptyness.
Thank you Lord for giving me a deep and abiding faith in you and the hope of your return!
he is where he wanted to be' i wish for the same
Someone asked the question "What kind of God would take a kid on Christmas?"
Considering that this is the God who promised us eternal life, and that we celebrate the birth of His Son on Christmas, and give presents to each other that represent the gift of eternal life that God gave to us through the person of His Son, Jesus Christ, and that this young man (a bigger man than any of you skeptics are) was READY TO GO AND SAID GOOD-BYE, KNOWING that HEAVEN IS REAL, it is an obvious question with an obvious answer: A LOVING GOD, OF COURSE! This is HIS message to "those who have been in bondage all their lives to the fear of death" as Saint Paul wrote. An honorable death is nothing to be afraid of, it is the door from this vale of tears and sorrows into the blessedness of heaven. What greater gift could God possibly give to a person on Christmas day (or any other day) than the gift of passing relatively free from trauma into the heavenly bliss?
You don't believe the Kingdom of Heaven is real? That's YOUR problem, not ours, not his, not his family's. In your faithlessness, you see only the decay and rot that is the signature of sin. You don't see what that young man is now seeing.
I, too, have seen the River of the Water of Life that this young man saw and that many others have seen. I can tell you from my own personal experience that it is REAL, that it is a white light that is whiter than anything you have ever seen on earth. The whitest glistening snow of a clear bright Alpine noon is a gray color compared to the PURE whiteness of this light. It is so completely different and so obviously PURE WHITE that it is nothing remotely like a physical thing. The realization that this light is the PUREST PURE WHITE POSSIBLE--SO VERY MUCH SO that you never had known or suspected that it existed--is the most jaw-dropping and amazing first, instantaneous impression upon seeing it; were it not for the coincident fact that it is THE MOST PEACEFULLY AND EXQUISITELY PLEASURABLE EXPERIENCE THAT YOU COULD LIKEWISE NEVER EVEN IMAGINE TO EXIST--A SEA OF GLASS FOR THE ABSOLUTE NATURE, BREADTH AND DEPTH OF ITS PEACEFULNESS, not a micrometer, not a nanometer of ripple of the slightest breeze of worry, smoother than anything you could expect, beyond anything that you could possibly imagine on any ingested substance or combination thereof--as God is my witness I, too, am a sinner and I speak from first-person experience!--one might almost say that to see only just how PURE UNEARTHLY WHITE it is, one might expect that it would overwhelm with terror at the realization that it was so astonishingly PURE WHITE, yet there is not the smallest, micro-tiniest bit of fear within this light. The overwhelming sense of PEACE that pervades this PURE WHITE LIGHT is indescribable. So too, is it's power. Ezekiel tells us that God showed him this river of water (which is this PURE WHITE LIGHT that flows into the center of your being and down your spine as you ascend what can only be described as a waterfall in human terms) and it began as water to wade in up to the ankles, and grew deeper and deeper until it was too deep to pass through, waters for swimming. I can tell you that it is seen WITHIN a person and NOT OUTSIDE the person, and that it can become SO BRIGHT that no earthly eye could endure to see a light that bright without going instantly blind. It can become as bright as being in the center of the sun without harming one's mind from seeing it in the least way. THIS IS NOT A PHYSICAL THING, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, BROTHERS AND SISTERS! An eye of flesh seeing a light so bright would wither and dry and turn to charcoal and smoke and burn and turn to ash long before it could ever SEE such a light!.
It is REAL. It is NOT CHEMISTRY. It is NOT PHYSICS. IT IS A REALITY THAT IS LARGER THAN ANYTHING THIS PLANET COULD CONTAIN!
Now this young man has gone THERE, and left us a clue as to where he went ON CHRISTMAS DAY! The skeptics don't understand the JOY of what that young man is NOW SEEING WITHOUT INTERRUPTION, without come-down, without sleep, because they have rejected the REAL LIFE in the HEAVENLY PLACES for the temporary and feeble pleasures that they can gain forcefully if they are but willing to sin against God to obtain them.
THE RIVER OF THE WATER OF LIFE IS REAL, PEOPLE! I have seen it with my own inner eyes! I am not lying to you. I am telling you the truth, as my conscience bears witness in the Holy Spirit. Ezekiel saw this river. John, too, SAW THIS RIVER OF THE WATER OF LIFE.
And a man named John is testifying to you right now that he has seen this River of the Water of Life, and that it is very truly altogether honestly and completely REAL!
Didn't Jesus open the eyes of the blind on more than one occasion? Do you not realize that you, too, are BLIND to THIS light right now? Even as I am now blind to it again on this particular day. But I have this hope in me, that I will AGAIN see this light when He once again opens the eyes of THIS blind man never to shut them again! Praise God! Hallelujia and Hallelujia! Amen and Amen!
You skeptics can laugh all you want to, and mock with your hick drawls all you care to. This is JOY even to think of, everyone! I could never say enough to convey the magnitude of what I saw! Even as Paul wrote that what he saw is not lawful for a man to utter. So it is. SO IT IS!!!
I am not lying to you. I am telling you the truth. Let those hear who have ears to hear with, that they, too, may someday see this light with the eyes they have been given to see with.
Pray that you, too, may have the grace to stand on THAT DAY when THIS LIGHT is revealed.
Lose everything else that you have if that's what it takes, but find this light. FIND IT!
You all think death is the worst thing that can happen?? Not following God and rejecting Jesus' blood is the worst choice you can make - death is nothing to someone who believes in and follows God. we all will die eventually so stopping saying God isn't real because people die. if you go to hell that's your choice. but being with god for eternity is the greatest gift ever!!!
Triptolemus;
I would submit for your consideration, all Gods, are the same God. The differences are man made. No matter what religion you look at, the basic tenants are nearly the same. It is man and our ambitions that a responsible for the factional differences. You can not blame God for the actions of zealots. One thing is a scientific and theological certainty, from your first breath, you begin to die. No man may know the time of his death. Science can not predict it, Nor can any minister. The video he posted on shows this young man knew he time was short. Sometimes people near death just know. You try to rationalize something that can not be rationalized. For those who believe no proof is needed, for those,like yourself, who do not no proof is sufficient.
I see the religious nuts are out in full force today. As a DEVOUT atheist, I will never keep my opinions to myself, because religion is detrimental to our society as a whole. It has been proven time and again to be nothing more than fairy tales concocted by man to explain things which they were unable to understand, then it developed over the centuries into a way of controlling peoples thoughts and actions through fear of punishment. The fact that people still believe this tripe in 2011 staggers me.
It impedes true scientific advancement and knowledge, and is only for the incredibly naive and/or stupid. Egyptian religion and Greek mythology both lasted longer than Christianity has so far, and yet we teach both today as if they were just that...MYTHS, you know, like unicorns and mermaids? I find it utterly laughable when people throw their "faith" in my face and tell me what I'm missing.
I challenge any Christians reading this...take a good long look at what your religion is based on. It is based on the belief that a Jewish zombie will make you live forever if you communicate telepathically with him and ask him to forgive your sin, which is the result of a rib woman being convinced by a talking snake to eat fruit from a magic tree.
Are you freaking kidding me?
John-3078515 you scared the sh!t out of me, but not for the reason you likely think. WOW.
Dwayne,
Quick question. As a devout atheist, who cannot keep his opinions to himself, do you also make claims that your moral compass points North? Now I am not saying that you need to be a believer to have morality. I just find it quite hypocritical when someone makes such boastful claims about their own morality, but spends their time arguing on news blogs and belittling others' faith.
dwayne, why is it when you non-believers get into trouble you yell "oh God"
It's funny how atheists don't believe in God but believe in some energy source that comes up from mother earth goes up their Ass and goes into their head and brings them Peace. They also believe that they are descendants of Apes and came out of their Ass without any proof. Like where are the bones of our descendants? Which museum? You call us Weirdo's. Go ahead call me what you want and remember no matter what God lives you it's just everyone else thinks you're an Azz-HO.
Whatever got this kid through tough times is good enough. It's sad that he died so young, but obviously had a good heart. I don't like religion but there are a few people who actually walk the walk and talk the talk without being hypocritical. It does an atheist (as I am) no good to publicly mock someone else's beliefs. Likewise, I see Christians on here acting as un-Christian like as they can. Respect has to be earned and just because someone has a right to believe as they want doesn't mean they automatically deserve respect.
@Nicodemus1946
I agree with your opening statement more than you realize. I meant my comment to be thought provoking, rather than incendiary, and yet it was collapsed by the community. (Curious that some cannot handle even simple inquiries about their pre-conceived notions.) Even in the midst of this, killing in the name of god goes on.
IMHO, God would necessarily be much more vast than anything a puny human mind could comprehend, let alone claim as their own and kill for.
It is a touching video, and I hope he is at peace. I just think it's interesting that people assume it is 'their' god of which he is speaking, and react very negatively to any challenge of that presumption.
If this kid had flashed a card that read: Do you believe in Allah? I do. What do you think these posts would be about?
As to the rest of your post, well, perhaps it is best that we just agree that we disagree.
Meghan, Psychologist, you are suspended for a day for violating rule # 1 of the Code of Honor.
Good work, Sally!
Thanks sally keep going their are many more vile empty comment's to delete.
During our good times, it is easy to praise God.
The true test of faith comes with the ability to praise God during hardships and adversity.
Ben had serious medical challenges.
Yet, he and his family retained their faith.
This family has given an excellent example of great spiritual strength.
So sad. I guess we can take some comfort in knowing that this time he got to stay in that wonderful place. Man, life is sooooo unfair sometimes. RIP.
God bless Ben's soul and may Azna surround him with the white light and lift the burden of sorrow from the shoulders of his family and friends.
I agree that he recieved the best Christmas gift of all. Home at last
Oh shove a sock in it.
Yep, if you consider home to be laid out on a cold slab.
Ben was a believer, he is home now.
Lots of courage and strength in Ben. A lesson for us all. Appreciate the time you have.
What you said is so true. I just had open heart surgery unexpected. We don't know how much we have...
Why didn't he get a heart transplant???
For all you or I know, he might have been on the list. Available donor organs are scarce. For every transplant story you hear there are thousands (literally) of candidates who died before anything became available. Additionally, his seizure disorder could have possibly ruled out the option of receiving a donation.
Very sad story.
or the governor cuts off funds to make heart transplants possible at all. Janet Brewer did that(AZ).
My friend who had the same condition did get a heart transplant when they found a donor organ that was almost a perfect match. Still, he was in the hospital from July 4th weekend, when the fatal car wreck occurred that made the donor heart available, until Thanksgiving, and in and out with rejection symptoms the rest of his life. Still, he lived 15 yrs. that he otherwise never would have had. I would've wished this for this young man and am comforted by the fact that perhaps Someone else knew better.
You had to bring politics into this... thanks !
because hearts don't grow on trees?
At least not yet.
RIP Ben. May we all borrow a little of your grace.
Jon, how much have you contributed in the last ten years? Your money, and your time? Those that expect the most of government, contribute the least personally. Jon you're a pig, and hyprocrite.
Jon, The AZ governor only eliminated transplant funding for ineligible patients (ie...liver transplants for alcoholics or hearts for cocaine addicts) He would have been eligible. But thanks for trolling with the politics.
This is an amazing story from an amazing young man. I'm glad his parents were able to see this, I'm sure it helps them cope with their difficult loss.
That comment seems so good if you live in a fantacy world. But the reality of it is this. If you are not bed ridden nor unable to get up out of a chair in a hospital, you do not get on any "list". I know this as I have IHSS (Idiopathic Hyerthrophic Subarortic Stenosis) The old diaognosis of what this boy had. I had it form birth but it showed up one day at work when I was 34. And it IS inheirited. So anyone in a familiy once one is diagnosed could get it. Testing is key for early detection. I did not have that luxury with those in my familiy that were older and or died. It was the classic they died from blah blah blah. I of many such things they called something they have no idea what back in 50's on. I was born in 1961. So the symptoms they had and died form were sweep under the rug as unknown illness and even those that died after I was born too sadly. Another sad fact of life for us all with it, most people do not realize. It is much better these days but still long way form perfect like Ben had to live with. I now have turned 50. And mark milestones in terms of five year intervals. Next one is 55 for me. I know all too well what this wondeful boy lived with day in and day out as I do too. It is a DRAG! But as he said if you do not dwell on it you stay in the moment and cheerie. In many ways he was blessed to be home now. As in time like me the condition due to it very nature of diminished blood flow effect the brain. And you tend to forget things and what you did just a short time ago. And in the midele of talking get "locked up" I call it and can not complete the thought. Or remember a name to finish. But many time in a few hours after relaxing it will all flood out and be right there on the tip of our tongue. Sharp as if we never forgot it at all. At 50 that is hard for me. Much less a 18 year old. But you do always recall the times you cheap death. And yes much of what he described is eriely true. Bright White Lights/rooms nobody else see's. And places that you go that are totally calm and peaceful. First time I saw my deceased dog and he talked (yes) and told me to go back. The second time I saw my grandmother and she told me thou they wish I could stay to go back. Things like this happen more or less big and small most everytime I go in for anything (procedure) and there have been many too. And am put under to do so. From teeth or tests Like TEE or CATH'ed. Or as in his case jsut you die on table and come back for no reason. And you always have once out a certain amount of no recall of some time while there. You loose time. I pray that his familiy can go on without Ben and think of him fondly. And not be sad. He is much happier. And I pray that maybe more will now see this and get interested like has not happend before. I am still here, Ben survived and got his reward. But in many ways it is true when you pass all ills are gone but you stay that age. Ben now has the wonderful gift of being 18 forever. Me I will find out. Right now I know I will be at least 50.
Thanks for sharing your story SirKnight. Best wishes for your 55.
Light-3224268, Why do you feel the need to criticize peoples and their opinions. Right or wrong in your eyes, its still an opinion. You seem to be a young child calling names out at people.
Rest in Peace Ben
great wisdom born of experience, SirKinght...thanks for sharing....& I do so love the part about seeing the light & your dog talking to you & the peace you felt...most people are freightened of death & cannot even think it is coming to them one day...good to know we are somehow prepared with thoughts of people & even animals that once loved us bringing us feelings of peace... it sounds like a good thing to me whatever the source...& the parents of this boy are probably comforted by his action in making that video...wonderful story !
Let me suggest, that if you are touched by this story, you get yourself tissue typed. I'm registered. If I were to have an accident and my organs could be harvested, the doctors wouldn't have to wait to see with whom they matched. Many states require health plans to cover tissue typing through authorized registries. My and my teen daughter's registration cost us nothing other than a swab of our mouth.
Somehow, 'Congratulations' on 50 years just does not seem like the right word, or enough of a word for your circumstances... but I hope the meaning will translate all the same, SirKnight. I certainly wish you much continued success in reaching those 5 year marks!
Along with being tissue typed, another thing people can sign up for is BONE MARROW donation! More donors on the list means that more and better matches can be found for those who don't have a good match from within their own family (related donor). The best part? You don't even have to die to donate! LOL
It's impossible to explain all that this type of donation means to those in need and their loved ones. In many cases, however, it is as simple as this: No matching donor, no transplant. No transplant, no chance.
marrow.org
I feel awful for what happened to this kid, but I still would NEVER, ever consider be an organ donor, nor donating my wife's or child's organs.
And why all the bickering about religion here, folks? I'm not a pious guy but what I believe is that Ben met his end with great courage and dignity and is in a better place, wherever THAT is. NO ONE knows for sure. Can't we just agree on that and leave it as is??????
I have signed my donor card, and tried to sign up to donate bone marrow/stem cells, but I cannot for close to a year and a half. I really want to be able to sign up for it, but they have a 5-year exclusion for an illness I had. I just hope that my possible heart valve issue does not disqualify me permanently! Giving the gift of life is the best gift possible, and given that I am only 4'9 and my normal weight sits at 85 pounds, I am much too small to donate blood-you have to be 110 pounds here in Canada, which bothers me...it's because they HAVE to do everything in standard size units, even though babies usually receive just a tiny amount and the rest gets thrown out due to possible contamination. So why couldn't I give half a unit? That would be an acceptable amount for someone my size.
If you only give a half a unit can we call you half pint?
What a good kid... Those parents should be so proud of their son and their daughter.
what a courageous young man, my prayers & thoughts are with you all.
He was very courageous and I will pray for his family and friends that lost an incredible teenager. I could not begin to imagine going through what he went through at such a young age. I hope his parents and his family take comfort that his not suffering anymore and he is the kid that he wanted to be but couldn't because of his heart condition.
He is on a different journey than the rest of us, we will all join him in time. I just hope I'm as ready as he was.
Kids want a hero to emulate in life, here is one. Strong, Brave, and Sincere. Not some stupid celeb, just a real honest human being. Hope his journey further on is as rewarding for him as his courage and story has been for all of us.
Really Brent, you are such an a--hole
@ vegan-3925737: I cannot fathom why you chose to be so crude and disrespectful.
vegan, I"m sorry you are such an angry person. I hope that you take the time to heal from whatever wounded you so badly that you would write something so clearly designed to cause others to chastice you and to despise you. I suppose for someone who is lonely any attention is better than no attention at all. But you could have positive attention, if you could just stretch yourself a little.
Vegan, eat some bloody red meat so you won't be so hateful. This was a young man full of good thoughts and would pray for you.
fairplay, different and T for Tejas, VEGAN was directing his comment to Brent8876 whose comment was deleted above, not Ben.
Thank you Sadmoment for correcting me. I apologize vegan.
What are the criteria to get deleted or collapsed? Some fairly innocuous posts are collapsed while others a lot more offensive continue on.
usually collapsed on the basic rules of respect by other bloggers, the rules are available from your home page I believe.
vegan-3925737, you are suspended for a day for violating rule # 1 of the Code of Honor.
brave kid!
My condolences to the Family, but what is quite interesting is, look at his/their last name "Breedlove" "Breed Love", not as many people think of *breeding* *love* but living a life that breeds love... I am glad they were blessed to have him in their lives as long as they did and for those he touched whilst he was here and no doubt will continue to touch.
Be quiet Brent 8876.
my son also has a congenital heart defect that we try to deny everyday. he is almost 13 and thank God doing very well... so this has left a lump in my throat that will not go away. God be with ben's family, so sorry for your loss.
May God bless you and your family dragonfly, and as a parent I truly pray with all my heart you never know the pain that Ben's family is suffering. Much love to you and everyone else in the world, no matter who they are.
RIP, sweet angel. May Ben's family find some comfort to their pain in the memories and love they shared.
dragonfly, I live with that fear everyday. My son had heart surgery at birth and is also doing very well thanks to the Lord. He turns 13 in a few months...he's my world.
You guys get it! It warms my heart to see that. Somebody gets it. Maybe Ben and my trip are not in vain afterall. I pray for you both too Sadmomeninhistory and dragonfly. We travel the same road thou in different lanes.
At the risk of being misunderstood, I would like to suggest that, although there certainly is pain and sorrow at the real and permanent loss in this world, there is likely much more comforting joy in the family's tears and response to this than you may suspect, given all the details of this story.
"He that goes forth and weeps, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him."
It is to fulfill this specific purpose that each one of us who are saved were born into this world.
There was a VERY similar video posted a few months ago with the index cards...weird...
I may be able to shed some light on why the cards. When I first realized Jesus was alive and well and loved me, I found it so difficult to talk about. Words just fell so short and seemed trite. I knew sign language and spoke to a friend in sign. It was pure communication; tears just fell down my face as I signed. Language falls short when you describe something so utterly profound.
I agree with you in many ways sdaivs. Emotions are a funny thing. Many times when it is too hard to talk and get thru it cue cards or flashcard are a way to do that. Make them when calm and happy and then read or flash when emotions ar high and we are unable to speak. And toy right stingynina they were used by a 15 year old a few months ago for another sad situation we all deal with these days. Same reason for it thou. Ease of thought and staying on point and not getting lost in it all while emotional.
Or... we can let Ben speak for himself.
It's beautiful as it is. In it's simplicity. Without having to understand every aspect of every detail.
Brent,
I am sad for you, he posted it himself on youtube, I see no exploitation there. This is such a heartfelt story and your comment throws discord to my feelings and others I'm sure.
Soooo sad :'(
Very touching. I hope Ben's life in the Otherworld is blissfully happy. He deserves it. :)
What a story and what a reminder to us all of how precious our lives really are. I find the scriptures to be so accurate in calling "Death" the last enemy at 1 Corinthians 15:26. Maybe he will be back in the resurrection in the last day. John 6:39, 40 and Acts 24:15. So Ben has a chance of being brought back to life in the last day, but right now he is resting in peace. Ecclesiastes 9:5. Isn't that beautiful that Jesus plans on bringing people back to life in the future?
Sooner or later we all have to travel that road for no man is immortal. Rest in Peace and may all find solace in his message of faith. We all who are about to die salute you!
Wow! Touching story.
:(
My heart goes out to this family. What a beautiful and engaging smile, not to mention his courage to put this out to others. I, too, have a child (daughter) with health issues who is just eighteen and I can't imagine the road his family is traveling right now. I hope he finds peace.
I'm sure he has.
Yes, he had such a sweet smile, didn't he? I watched both video's over, and over last night, and cried like a baby. Ben was a gift, and he may have given more than any of us can imagine to someone out there who truly needed to read his message.
Thank you Ben! You have shown all of us real courage.