Derek Paravicini is one of AMBER's great success stories. Now 26, he is blind, has the IQ of a 4-year-old, doesn't know his fingers from his thumbs and needs round-the-clock care. But he as an extremely rare gift – he is a musical prodigy whose piano-playing has thrilled audiences from London to Las Vegas.

Born prematurely, weighing just 1lb 5onz, Derek remained in hospital for three months and technically "died" several times before he was finally strong enough to go home. Before long, his parents became aware that he was blind and that he had severe learning difficulties and autism as well. 

Without anyone realising at first, Derek taught himself to play music on a toy organ. At just two and before he could even talk, he could pick out nursery rhymes. Music proved to be an outlet not only for expressing himself, but for communicating with others – his way of dealing with a strange and confusing world. By the age of four, he was already an exceptional musician in the making. Even now, he can play and remember any tune he has ever heard.