Gamer Lacks Eyeballs, Kicks Ass Anyways

by Dan Landis on July 4, 2008 at 11:09 am

Kids sometimes like to gloat and say they will pwn you with their eyes closed, but this kid means it. After having his eyes surgically removed, he relearned how to do everything without the use of his vision, relying instead on echolocation. His television must have some pretty awesome surround sound then, because he is somehow able to play videogames without ever seeing the screen.

Ben Underwood was diagnosed with cancer when he was just two years old. After a few unsuccessful rounds of chemotherapy, he ended up losing both of his eyes. He now uses echolocation to get around his lack of sight. Basically, he makes clicking sounds and determines the direction, distance, and size of objects around him based on the echoes he hears back. He is essentially a real-life Daredevil that sees using sonar.

Of all the things I assumed you could do with this ability, I never thought you would be able to play videogames. I mean, logistically, you NEED to be able to see the screen to know what’s going on. How could you possibly relate distance and direction from this 2D area? Is the sound work in videogames really accurate to the point that it’s possible to play without vision? This video will answer those questions:

Okay, so he is apparently some kind of X-Man. It’s probably genetic considering his mom’s name is Aquanetta, which means she can either communicate with fish or she has an uncanny ability to stiffen your hairdo. You may also have noticed that “this week’s People magazine” was from like, two years ago, but that’s completely irrelevant so shut up.

Ben remained cancer-free for the next 15 years, but it has unfortunately reared it’s ugly head again. A new website has gone up to help Ben, aptly named HelpBen.com. You can donate to Ben’s cause, or you can just follow the links to find out more about this amazing kid and his inspirational attitude.

Keep rockin’, Ben. We here at Ripten wish you all the best.

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Tags: ben underwood, blind gamer, cancer, echolocation, sonar

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Comments »

Tomonoatmeal Cookigaki
on July 4, 2008 11:25 am

Cookigaki’s games look awesome and this kid never gets to see them. Cookigaki thinks this is not fair for God to do this. Cookigaki does NOT approve!
Iceman Pwns
on July 4, 2008 3:48 pm

Amazing story. This guy should serve as an inspiration to all the lazy people that complain about how hard they have it. Get up off your ass and change your life already!

Way to go Ben. Keep fighting.
Bruce Almighty
on July 4, 2008 3:49 pm

OMG! Ice said something nice……sort of. I will write the date down in my calendar.
Iceman Pwns
on July 4, 2008 3:52 pm

That sounds great. Then I would like you to eat the calendar and jump off a cliff.
PortalPunta
on July 4, 2008 3:54 pm

Boys!! Enough fighting! Think of what Ben would say.
Iceman Pwns
on July 4, 2008 8:52 pm

What would Ben say? I think if he and I witnessed Bruce jump off a cliff he would probably say something like “what? I didn’t see a thing.”

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