masterwordsmith-unplugged

Sometimes we meet people who are different from us. Then there are those who are very different. But what about those who are exceptionally different?

The most unexpected people can sometimes inspire us to climb higher mountains, dream bigger dreams and break barriers that we set for ourselves because we thought we could not.

For a start, let us have a look at savants. This is an excerpt from Wikipedia :

Savant syndrome, sometimes abbreviated as savantism, is not a recognized medical diagnosis, but researcher Darold Treffert defines it as a rare condition in which persons with developmental disorders(including autism spectrum disorders) have one or more areas of expertise, ability or brilliance that are in contrast with the individual's overall limitations. Treffert says the condition can be genetic, but can also be acquired, and coexists with other developmental disabilities "such as mental retardation or brain injury or disease that occurs before (pre-natal) during (peri-natal) or after birth (post-natal), or even later in childhood or adult life."

Individuals with the syndrome are often nicknamed savants. This can be a source of confusion since a savant can also mean a person of learning, especially one of great knowledge in a particular subject. The terms idiot savant or autistic savant are also used. "Idiot" was used by the medical profession in the late 19th and early 20th century to refer to a person whose IQ was less than 20, although that usage has now given way to "profound mental retardation"; the term idiot savant is no longer regarded as a valid medical term.

Ok. Back to business. Being a musician and music lover myself, it would not at all surprise you to discover that the first savant I would like to introduce to you is none other than Derek Paravicini - The Musical Genius.

Derek, now in his mid twenties, was born premature, at 25 weeks, and weighing just over half a kilogram. As a result of the oxygen therapy required to save his life, Derek lost his sight, and his development was affected too. It later became apparent that he had severe learning difficulties. However, he soon acquired a fascination for music and sound, and, by the age of four, had taught himself to play a large number of pieces on the piano, of some melodic and harmonic complexity (such as 'Smoke Gets in your Eyes'). Almost inevitably, with no visual models to guide him, his technique was chaotic, and even his elbows would frequently be pressed into service, as he strove to reach intervals beyond the span of his tiny hands!




Click play in the following video clip and discover for yourself...Derek Paravicini. Be inspired!



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