Image by ZacharyTirrell via FlickrBen Underwood died at age 16, buried on Jan 26th, what would have been his 17th birthday. Ben was the initial inspiration for this blog and opened my eyes, so to speak, to a whole new way of realizing the senses.As a small child Ben was blinded by Retinoblastoma, a cancer in the eyes. But his total lack of vision did not prevent him from doing anything he enjoyed. He still had no fears of taking up biking, rollerblading, basketball, and he lived his life as any other kid would, and did not allow himself to by "handicapped" by his situation. He learned as a child that he could hear reflections of sounds that bounced off of surrounding objects. He devised a certain "click" that he could make to interpret the objects around him. He was full of ambition and made it his life's work to perfect these techniques. Many blind people have begun to use echolocation, but Ben's talent was remarkable and he was the only person (as far as I know) who could distinguish the difference between objects as small as a stapler and a coffee mug on the table.
As I said, Ben Underwood inspired this blog and I will continue it, not only as a means to capture my meandering experience, but also as a thank you and tribute to him.
Thank you for your inspiration Ben, and your contributions to mankind. They will live on forever.
If you would like to leave a message or give a donation to Ben's family, you can do so at his website: http://www.benunderwood.com
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10 comments:
I really can't fathom it. He was amazing and I just don't know what to say...
:'(
Please continue your blog. I am attempting to learn echolocation, and know nothing about it. Whenever I try to use echolocation it kind of makes me sad... Please keep your blog.
Shelob,
Don't worry. I will continue the blog and my training. If there are certain things you're having trouble with please let me know and I can try to formulate some articles or lessons around those things. Don't get discouraged though. I would love to hear about some of the things you've tried, even if they didn't work. All learning is good learning.
One of the things I do is to just click when I am walking around, and listen to what it sounds like. Also; http://www.worldaccessfortheblind.org/files/snr-curiculm1106.pdf
This is one of Daniel Kish's works. It is very helpful.
When I was attempting to echolocate through my basement, I was trying this for my first time and hit the refrigerator not once, but twice. I have goten a bit better since then, but I am still working on it.
Yes, that is a good publication, I've been using it for ideas and trying to add to it.
I don't know what your basement is like, but if it's anything like mine there are lots of things everywhere, tools, storage bins, workbenches.. I find it's best to practice in a place where you can limit the variables. Environments with a few big, easy to recognize surfaces. Three of the best places I've found and have been practicing are: Racquetball court, big empty hallway at the office, and in parking lots. And yes I have crash into my car on several occasions. I'll post about that.
Ben was an amazing person.
BEN UNDERWOOD is incredible
Agreed. I like to think that since he was my inspiration for this journey, that he lives on in my work and in all those inspired by him.
it is so very heartrending for me to read this just after I came to know Ben by watching "Imagine. I really feel sorry for ourselves to loose him at such a tender age so high-aimed and so confident with a super ability like Ben did possess. My wishes go out for him and his family. And thanks to Tim- for your blog here - it amazes me !
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