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Extraordinary People

Born three and a half months prematurely, Derek miraculously survived, but his twin sister did not. Technically, he died three times in the hospital and his eyesight was destroyed by an oxygen overdose. He has been left completely blind, partly autistic, can’t tell left from right and cannot count to ten, but despite his disabilities he has an incredibly acute sense of hearing, and is a musical genius.

Now 28 years old, Derek has the I.Q. of a 4 year old, but by the age of two he began playing the piano. "When areas of the brain are not being used for their normal function, they are recruited by other functions" says autism expert Dr. Simon Baron-Cohen. Derek remembers every piece of music he has ever heard, he is a true savant.

UK television’s Channel 5 will be showing their documentary about Derek Paraviccini on Monday 3nd October. More details here after the programme has been screened.