Dead Teen's Inspiring Last Message to the World Is a Heartbreaker (VIDEOS)

on December 28, 2011 at 10:47 AM

The whole world is talking about Ben Breedlove today. And rightfully so . . . I guess. Breedlove is the 18-year-old with a serious heart condition who posted a video online just this month detailing his three experiences with death during childhood. . . only to die on Christmas Day. His videos let us know that Ben wasn't afraid anymore.

But I don't want to talk about Ben. OK, I lied. I do want to talk about Ben, but not because the Austin, Texas teen is an inspiration to all of us struggling in this cruel, cruel world, terrified of the day when it will all be over. I want to talk about Ben because he was the child of Shawn and Deanne Breedlove and brother of Ally and Jake.

That's why his death pummelled me in the guts. Because no kid should have to grow up that fast. And no two parents should have to even fathom that their kid experienced death so often he had made peace with it.

Even as the world gained the story of a young man who courageous walked toward the bright light he first saw when he was 4 years old and suffered a life-threatening seizure -- the first time he "cheated death" as he put it -- the Breedlove family lost their son and their brother. They lost him to hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, a disease that causes a thickening of the heart muscle, making it tough for blood to flow through. More severe if experienced by a young person, the first time a patient shows symptoms, sadly it's in the form of death from the condition.

In Ben's case, he survived an attack at 4, an attack over the summer, and another at school this December, times when he said he experienced the "other side," a place where he was happy and smiling. It was a place he said he didn't want to leave. This last time he passed out at school, when EMS workers brought him back after 3 minutes without a pulse, Ben said he didn't want to wake up. You can watch it in his own words (but please, grab some tissues first):

I hope these videos are a comfort to his family; that their son was unafraid to die. I respect him for having the guts to say it. He is an inspiration. But he is also a dead child, who has left behind a grieving family. And as much as I want to take his words and smile today, that part breaks my heart.

Do you take comfort in Ben Breedlove's last message to the world?

Image via YouTube

About the author Jeanne Sager

writes articles for The Stir by day, slays closet monsters and bounds through bedtime stories with her elementary schooler by night. Diet Pepsi courses through her veins. The Phineas and Ferb soundtrack reverberates through her brain.

Filed Under: inspiring teens, health, issues

Comments (18)

Stacey.

on Dec 28, 2011 at 11:54 AM

This is so sad I hope his family can find peace and comfort knowing he is with his Creator.

Report this comment

LikeAVirgin

on Dec 28, 2011 at 12:32 PM

Amen, Stacey.

R.I.P Ben! Your time on Earth was well spent and your struggle is over.

Danzzcoach

on Dec 28, 2011 at 1:35 PM

If there was EVER a "Case For Christ" this would be it. What an amazing kid. I don't have the answers for why he is gone, however, this story, his words, his faith, may just have the impact needed to change lives. God Bless Ben and his family, and thank you from the bottom of my heart for sharing this. ;-) <3

smurffettmommy2

on Dec 28, 2011 at 2:35 PM

so sad R.I.P ben. my condolences to the family hugs

Nonmember comment from Becky Ware

on Dec 28, 2011 at 3:51 PM

My only brother died of this same heart condition April 6, 2008. He was 37yrs old. It was very unexpected and has been very sad. We miss him everyday. He went to sleep and didn't wake back up. He was known as a gentle giant by friends who nicknamed him "Kong".....He literally had a huge heart and everyone that came in contact with him loved him.

on Dec 28, 2011 at 4:06 PM

MamaSusieQ045

on Dec 28, 2011 at 5:21 PM

RIP Ben. i hope his family can find peace

Nonmember comment from Jenny

on Dec 28, 2011 at 6:19 PM

You’ve put your finger on the raw nerve of this story but missed the resounding note. I feel that same feeling of gut wrenching loss you describe, which gives voice as best as an outsider could to what the family must be feeling. But what resonates louder than the heartbreaking sadness is the unspeakable beauty of Ben being able to comfort his own family posthumously & move others to believe in something bigger than them. In many spiritual traditions, the offering of a life for others is the most transcendent expression of grace. It is the making of a saint. In Ben's loss there have been countless reports of others who have been moved to belief, to keep carrying on in their own unspeakable circumstances & to come together on Christ’s birthday. His life is truly a christmas gift in the most beautiful sense. And when I think of that, I am filled with the same peace Ben described. Maybe I can find this place of peace more readily because I experienced the peace Ben described in my own battle w/ a life threatening illness. Though there is unspeakable loss tied up in my own story, the light I have felt in that valley of death outshines it all. I just hope after we sit in the loss that we find our way to that most indescribable peace Ben had the grace to leave us that shimmers like a star in a huge constellation of light that is God or the universe or what ever we call that most perfect eternal grace.

Nonmember comment from Kimberly devall

on Dec 28, 2011 at 6:35 PM

I almost lost my son, Nathaniel due to the same condition. Only by the Mercy and Grace of GOD, he is alive today. I will lift this family up in prayer. God bless.

Nonmember comment from michelle

on Dec 29, 2011 at 1:27 AM

Ben was a wonderful young man. While watching his videos I cried tears. I feel in my heart he is with Christ now & he is most definitely peaceful. My prayers go out to his family for their loss.