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 has 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. 

 Derek playing with Jools Holland

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.