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I met Ben Allen when we started together as students at the Howie T. Harp Peer Specialist Center in the fall 1996. He was reserved and I was brash. I think it is true that opposites attract. He came from poverty and grew up in an orphanage while I came from a middle class background. We became friends right away.

Ben and I took part in many conferences, rallies and demonstrations on behalf of mental health consumers.

In the last few years, he was becoming weaker as kidney disease ravished his body. Finally, that big heart of his could take it no more. He died of a heart attack on Monday, February 19. He was only 47 years old. He showed me that courage can overcome adversity.

Let's not mourn Ben Allen, but celebrate his life. His suffering is over. He is at peace. God bless you Ben. I will miss you. You will always be my best friend.