Learning to play the piano with ten fingers is already a challenge on its own. However, Landon Weeks, a 16-year-old teen from Utah, United States, is a living proof that if you set your mind to accomplish something, you can get it done. The teen was somehow able to master the piano despite suffering from a difficult medical condition.
“Basically it’s phochomelia — short arms and three fingers on each hand,” stated Lynette Weeks, his mother. Landon mentioned that his decision to learn the piano came about after seeing his brothers playing. It was his love for the instruments that enabled him to overcome the obstacles and struggles along the way. “It just comes to me I guess, because when I started playing it I just fell in love, and it just got easier,” said Landon.
According to his mother, it was quite a challenge to even find a teacher for Landon. However, they managed to find someone eventually who had been playing through obstacles of her own. “The teachers were kind of hesitant to teach him, but we did find a teacher that herself used to be a concert pianist, and she became paralyzed in one arm and then she was only able to use two fingers on her other arm. She said if she could play with two fingers she could teach Landon to play with three,” explained Lynette.
Lynette also stated that her son was able to take his experience and share it with other children in local schools. By sharing his story and encouraging others, he hopes that they themselves will be able to pursue their dreams, regardless of the challenges they are going through. “The elementary kids, their jaws are on the ground, and they can’t believe what they’re hearing and seeing, and Landon tells them just to follow their dreams and not give up and to follow through with everything they want to do in their lives because the sky’s the limit,” she said.
Aside from children, Landon is also an inspiration to others such as music producer Kim Lewis, who has caught the vision too. Thus, he is teaming up with Landon to work on a music video. “Amazing talent, amazing person just everything about him is very genuine and real. It’s an incredible experience and a very cool thing to be a part of,” stated Kim. You can check out the full story here.
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