The AMBER Trust - Sponsor a child

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Sponsor a child

A child like Jamie

Jamie is 14 years old and lives alone with his mother, Jane. He was born so premature, so tiny, that he could fit into her hand. As well as being blind, he is autistic and has cerebral palsy, but despite his profound disabilities, Jamie has an exceptional talent for music. Music is a major part of Jamie’s life – and it makes him happy.

A musical baby
Jamie first attended music playgroup when he was two, where he stood out from other children because of his remarkable tempo. At six he began to play the keyboard and has been told he has perfect pitch.

All the right emotions
Jamie, who loves all kinds of music – from pop and rock to jazz and classical – is able to listen to and remember a piece of music and then play it by ear. He plays with great sensitivity and puts in all the right emotions at the right time. It seems that being blind has given him a perception of things that other people do not hear or feel.

Why he needs your help

Jamie’s father left home when he was only 2 weeks old and, although his mother does everything she possibly can for her son, she herself is unwell and cannot return to work. She knows how important music is to Jamie and how much The AMBER Trust means to children like him. For Jamie to continue to flourish and perhaps become a professional musician one day, he needs your support to carry on with his piano lessons, and to learn Braille music.

How Jamie is now

Jamie attends a mainstream school, where a full-time auxiliary teacher looks after him. As well as music, he excels at German, Science, Maths and French. The youngest in his year, he also loves art and graphics. Previously, Jamie was awarded the Roland Reeves Spirit to Succeed Cup.

Every week, supported by AMBER, Jamie takes music lessons and singing lessons. His music teacher says:

"Jamie has been a pleasure, and a privilege, to teach. He and I quickly developed a warm relaxed relationship, yet one in which he has never failed to respect and accept my firm (and sometimes frank!) guidance when I have needed to give it.

He is very musical, with the astonishing ear and excellent memory so often possessed by blind people. He has made splendid progress, passing his ABRSM's Grade 2 three months ago, gaining a Distinction, which included full marks both for Sight Reading (most unusual, even for a sighted candidate!) and for the aural element. His result was actually the best I've ever had.

Jamie is now working for Grade 3, which he'll probably take in November. Thank you for supporting him."