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18-year-old Alex Ritter said it: He plays Bach and Brahms and “America the Beautiful.” And then walks in circles; he speaks one or two words at a time. My son Charlie is still working on “Oh Susannah” and “Happy Birthday”—Ritter started playing the piano at the age of 11 and who knows what Charlie might play?
In the words of Alex Ritter: “Piano, good job.”
Photo courtesy of owly9 via Flickr.
POSTED IN: Music
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6 opinions for Piano? Yes?
Robin H. Morris
Oct 28, 2007 at 4:08 pm
Hi Kristina,
We are certainly on the same page, as I wrote a blog earlier today, following my reading the Wall Street Journal article by Ari Brown.
Do I believe that Jenny McCarthy is a poor human being? No. Do I think that her “voice” can do harm? Yes.
I agree that it is particularly difficult to posture oneself as the final word on a subject. Somewhere in her flirting with Larry King and babbling on Oprah, she did mention that her belief related to her son only, but then she made broad statements about “never vaccinating a child if she had another”.
We are a nation of creating idols. We build them up, then tear them down.
My only worry is that the world will stop taking autism seriously if they think the cure is “around the corner”, or simply by getting rid of gluten.
Where do we go from here?
xr
Kristina Chew, PhD
Oct 28, 2007 at 5:15 pm
Not sure, and yet hopeful we can stumble upon a direction—in the meantime, keeping up the dialogue, dissent, questioning is necessary.
MomtoJBG
Oct 28, 2007 at 7:11 pm
This story made me get teary. It’s wonderful that he has this outlet.
My boys love music, but are sticking to the toy xylophone for the moment.
Autismville
Oct 28, 2007 at 8:49 pm
Jack was pounding away on our old piano today. Gosh I hope one day he’ll play it …
Kazumi Ritter
Feb 24, 2008 at 11:32 pm
Thank you for mentioning about my son Alex here.
I just happened to find this site.
He finished his reginal piano contest yesterday and has gotten score of one. He will compete at state level again this May in Austin.
Kristina Chew, PhD
Feb 25, 2008 at 2:07 am
Congratulations to Alex! Thank you so much for sharing his story.
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