Ben Underwood was born a happy, healthy baby -- "the happiest kid in the world," according to his mother, Aquanetta Gordon. But when the boy turned 2, Aquanetta noticed that her sweet son couldn't see out of his left eye. A visit to the doctor brought devastating news.

"Ben was diagnosed with retinoblastoma. Cancer in both eyes," Aquanetta told "The Oprah Winfrey Show" during an appearance in 2006. "That was the hardest thing to hear."

When chemotherapy and radiation failed, Ben underwent surgery to have his eyes removed. Then, at age 7, he discovered he had an astounding gift.