Ben Breedlove, Teen Tells Heartbreaking Story Week Before Death

Ben Breedlove was an Austin teenager who had a popular YouTube channel ("OurAdvice4You") where he gave dating advice to viewers. He also had a life-threatening heart condition he fought every day growing up.

The brave 18-year-old lost his life on Christmas night from a heart attack. The week before, he recorded the below videos where he shared his feelings about death, after "cheating" it three times.

He also shared a vision that came to him when the paramedics were reviving him at his school: he stood in a white room, wearing a suit, and was joined by his favorite rapper, Kid Cudi.

"I then looked in the mirror, I was proud of myself of my entire life, everything I have done. It was the BEST feeling," he wrote.

Cudi posted the following message on his blog in response to the news of Breedlove's death: "I am 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... To Ben’s family, you raised a real hero, he’s definitely mine. You have my love."

Watch Breedlove's videos here:

Comments

[LivelyLexie]

02:07 PM on 01/09/2012

What a sweetheart. It seems like he certainly added a lot to the world in his short time here.

[truthupontruth]

02:11 AM on 01/09/2012

Belief in the unseen is what defines the religious. Peace, angels, afterlife, God. These are the words of the religious. To see someone who has seen the unseen, what the followers hope to see, is a reminder of what belief is all about. It's like that Eastwood/Damon film, "Hereafter". I work to make my faith in the unseen as strong as a true believer that has seen it with his/her eyes. I offer a prayer of thanks to God for using Ben as a tool to share His message, this miracle. The One that created Ben, and gave him his gifts and his trials, is the One to whom he is returning. If I'm rambling incoherently, it's because I'm a little freaked out.

[Deepani]

01:33 AM on 01/04/2012

This story is very close to my heart. I have cheated death five times or more and my little son did twice with the grace of HOLY GOD!! I believe God"s messengers as it was my first experience when I prayed for the first time and I was not a Christian then. God sent an Angel. It was Blue. But was Bright. Jesus is the most beautiful and glow more than ant Angel. I was empowered. I never forget the way Jesus rescued me from death three times. I have gone through a lot. Yet I met a best friend in life when I go through all of them. He is my Lord Jesus !!Haaaleeeuiajh My Beautiful king of Kings!! you are amazing ..most awesome living spirit.

[Bennyzh]

07:26 PM on 01/02/2012

Last night I was crying while I was reading about his stories and watching his videos. I just change my religious views to "Agnosticism" because you never know. RIP Ben.

[jjtx]

10:16 AM on 12/30/2011

I had a cardiac arrest almost four years ago. I, too, wished I had never woke up.

Ready to leave this fantasy and go to heaven, too. See you later, Ben.

[mamasita1023]

01:09 PM on 12/30/2011

Really?

[jjtx]

02:50 PM on 12/30/2011

Yes, really! I have had an arrhythmia for eleven years. I was treated with medication; but, after a mild bout with the flu, I arrested. I was with friends (one of whom is a nurse and the other a physical therapist). They performed CPR until EMT could get there and shock my heart. According to the records, I kept on trying to die for about two hours.

[jjtx]

02:51 PM on 12/30/2011

I now have a pacemaker and defibrillator like Ben's. But I can totally relate to wishing I had never woke up.

[GoGrammie]

09:50 AM on 12/30/2011

So much wisdom from our young.I think maybe we lose something as we get older. I always thought it was the other way around. I have 3 grand daughters now and I am sure that when I lost my innocents I became cynical. I think I'm going to spend a little time thinking about what I've lost and what I have gained and try to find a little perspective.

[GoGrammie]

09:41 AM on 12/30/2011

Oh Ben You should be proud of yourself as should your parents. What a wonderful young man and what a HUGE loss to this world. It is my deepest hope for you that the place you were so lucky to see when you almost lost your life is exactly where you are right now.I do not like organized religion. I have called myself an atheist because of those feelings I had. One more thing for you to be proud of Ben. When you held up the card asking us if we believe in angels or God and then the one that said I do? The first thing that came into my head was I do too. It took me by surprise but maybe I always really knew. And lucky you Ben You are an angel and you are with God. Your heart may have been sick but it sure was big. We are lucky that you were here for your time. It seems you made it count for something real.

[Joaniejaye]

09:15 AM on 12/30/2011

They should keep his note forever. He was positive, wow.

[mcmutter]

09:11 AM on 12/30/2011

support organ transplant ...... supported by all religions ......

I received my heart transplant back in 1993 ...... still going strong ......

[Caroleeena]

09:21 AM on 12/30/2011

Congratulations to you. I am glad you're still with us.

[melanielpc]

08:37 AM on 12/30/2011

I am crying now. Peace to Ben's family. It's going to be a lifelong struggle to find it again, but what a beautiful soul you gave this earth.

[JTWallace]

09:45 AM on 12/30/2011

Many of us have had similar experiences of a spiritual nature melanielp. We don't talk about it for fear it wasn't real or that we might become the source of doubt and derision by others. What strikes me so vividly about this young man's message is............The spirit lives and speaks to us in our dreams, and guides us throughout our lives until the body dies. Perhaps he is now resting in the arms of peace, light, and love. Only God knows. But, I hope his transition was gentle.

[melanielpc]

10:03 AM on 12/30/2011

It sounds like he was ready, almost excited to explore the unknown. What a lovely boy.

[csjinvest]

07:34 AM on 12/30/2011

I'm a 40 year old man typing through tears. Not just for the loss of Ben, but at the wonderful insight this young man had. He was too good for this, and our Father knew. We had an angel in our midst disguised as Ben Breedlove. May Ben bring peace to all who knew him.

[GoGrammie]

09:54 AM on 12/30/2011

I am 54. I also am typing through my tears. I thought that I didn't believe in God. I had become cynical. Ben Breedlove brought peace to me and I didn't know him. He very well may have brought me back to my God. That is a gift. A gift from God.

[Jim in California]

12:03 AM on 12/30/2011

This beautiful boy's untimely death is incredibly tragic. The You Tube message he left behind -- written in words with no sound -- was amazingly personal and poetic. His face could not betray the terrible fear that he must have lived with for most of his life -- but it also could not betray the courage, maturity and grace in which he had come to handle this burden. I can only believe that he is in a place of pure light and love. I am so sad for his family -- I can't imagine the loss they must feel. I am too often a cynic with little patience for sappiness. But, this young boy reflected the best of human nature and must have made the world a better place in his short life. My most sincere sympathy to all that knew him.

[Gary Gans]

11:16 PM on 12/29/2011

To Ben’s friends and family I have no words sufficient enough to see a wonderful young man with so much courage. He’s helping me cope with my chronic neurological disorders. I wish I was as brave as he was. I send my deepest condolences.

[kannois]

10:34 PM on 12/29/2011

This is so sad, but beautiful. My heart aches for Ben's family.

The music also adds to the beauty of the video. What is the name of that song?

[darkfey]

02:12 AM on 12/30/2011

The song is called 'Mad World' and the singer is Gary Jules, and is a soundtrack of the movie 'Donnie Darko'.

[kannois]

10:51 AM on 12/30/2011

Thanks, found it on the tube :-) Have a happy new year !

[irishdeb]

04:05 AM on 12/30/2011

it is mad world by tears for fears adam lambert dose a great cover on it

[kannois]

10:52 AM on 12/30/2011

Thanks, found it ... will also check out the Adam Lambert version. Happy new year !

[NiceAtheist]

10:06 PM on 12/29/2011

I appreciate my life a little bit more. Tragic loss.