Dying teen leaves touching YouTube video

(CBS News) 

Austin, Texas teen Ben Breedlove died on Christmas Day, leaving behind a touching video on the health problem that took his life -- a video that's gone viral on YouTube.

For more than a year, he'd been cultivating a following on YouTube, offering kids his age advice on everything from dating to the SATs with the wit and wisdom of someone far beyond his 18 years.

But just before Christmas, Ben made a different kind of video, still funny -- but also terribly sad. Ben shared with the world his personal struggle with a life-threatening heart condition and how that challenged him every day of his life.

Ben's video has been viewed more than one million times on YouTube, CBS' Anna Werner reports.

Deanne Breedlove, Ben's mother, told CBS News, "He was about 13 months old. We were referred to a cardiologist and they did some tests and found out he has a condition called hypertrophic cardiomyopathy."

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, a thickening of the heart muscle, makes it difficult for the heart to pump blood - and causes chest pain, high blood pressure, and eventually, heart failure. In his YouTube video, Ben detailed how he "cheated death" three times, beginning at age 4 and again earlier this month, when paramedics had to revive him at school.

Ally Breedlove, Ben's sister, recalled, "I found him out on the dock, by our house, and he was sitting out there by himself and I just asked him if he was happy that he woke up and he just said, 'I guess.' And he said that he was so glad to be back with our family, but he just wanted to back in that peace."

Shortly after, Ben returned to that peace. He passed away on Christmas morning while playing in the backyard with his younger brother. His family did not see the video until the following day. It was his last Christmas present to them.

"I'm very proud of him for choosing to be so vulnerable and share something of himself that was so personal," Deanne Breedlove said.

And Ben left his followers and the world with a message of hope.

And it seems, at least on YouTube, the world was listening, and is offering Ben something back through several reaction videos.

Watch Ben's YouTube videos below.

[Daniel0319]

He did that was waiting for us.
Please you take a look at this video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zXKV78VERio

[fastcars1971]

What a beautiful gift Ben has left to the world. I pray we all can go where he is today..

[lruthie]

Our thoughts and prayers are with the family. They have God's reassurance of knowing where their son is and that they will be together again one day. This is what keeps my husband and I going after losing our child to the same disease 12 years ago. He was 9 1/2 years old cheating death three times before that. We just want the family to know we understand and care. Sent with love. Our sons will always be with us in our hearts.

[fastcars1971]

Bless you Iruthie. You will see your son again and until then I see God has blessed you with a compasinate heart and will continue to use it for his purpose.

[amarige819]

Rest in peace sweet angel. I pray that peace surrounds you and your family. I know you will be missed and loved forever. For you were born to be an angel. G-D bless your soul and living memory. Rest in peace.

[netjunkie1]

As I don't believe in mythology, no god or religion. I cant say such sympathies...other than to say his character was his soul. This young man had more than many I seen by others.

[longtree-2009]

sadly, we all have to die sooner or later. being near death, or even believing you are at death's door, is a frightening experience if it happens without any warning or symptoms. no one wants to die excepting for those who are determined to take their own lives. no one knows when it's their time to die, but die we must and that is very sad.

[credibility2]

I posted this on my Facebook page. So touching and so sad. Makes me feel ashamed that I complain about so many trivial matters. God bless this sweet child who has given so much to so many with his simple words in this video.

[mrbucket2]

It's a shame that cbs has to put an advertisement before this video.
They just lost a viewer here because of it.
Advertising to cbs is more important than this type of news.
Shame on cbs, the advertising mecca that once was cbs news.

[rrozsa]

I'm not seeing advertisements when I watch the video.

[dresia]

I'm so sorry you're going through this and I hope you will still live a long time. The peace and calmness this young man is expericing is the after life that's promised to us, with the Lord Jesus Christ. My Uncle often spoke of going home to glory and he sneaked out on us too one cold morning. Everyone, I know, who is passed and gone now, has seen something wonderful from the expression on their faces and stories they told us before they left us. One day, we will never have to worry about sickness, none on these things. It is in the Bible, he will wipe away all tears, there will be no more death, sickness, sorrow and I wish that day would come soon for us all who are in Christ.

[jt92202]

Wish you would have actually read the artical and saw the video!! This young man lost his life on Christmas Day!!

[angelofurnightmare]

I hope this boy found peace. I hope his family can find it as well. The lose of a child is a terrible thing to endure but it seems that this boy was ready to go...Rest in Peace...and I hope his family can find peace in the fact he believes and I hope he made it and is doing all the things his condition didn't allow him in this life...
Also to those who feel this is the place to rant about religion...I am not a religious woman really but keep you nasty thoughts to yourself...y did you want to watch this boys pain and see how he felt when you are only going to belittle what a dying child had to say...keep your mouth shut because its hard enough to lose a child without all the ppl around feeling its their right to judge a childs final thoughts and feelings.
This was a beautiful child who had to grow up quickly and learn the hardest lessons in life early...He is a beautiful soul and thw world is a better place because he was in it for just a little while