Lindsay Zehren is a 2004 graduate of Madison High School, and people may also know her last name from her parents Pam and John, who were longtime teachers at our schools. Lindsay went off to college, received training in music therapy, and eventually found her way to southern California where she became a key figure in one of the most remarkable stories I’ve ever covered in these columns.
Some 11 years ago Lindsay began working with Alex Yiu, then just 9 years old, and suffering from an undiagnosed condition that was robbing him of his dexterity, mobility and ability to speak. Lindsay was using music as a way to help Alex cope, and as a way for him to express himself as his disease slowly eroded his other means of communication.
Eventually he was diagnosed with an ultra rare genetic disorder that only affects about 200 people worldwide. Now 20 years old, he no longer has the ability to move, speak or even swallow, and he communicates solely with eye movements and blinking.
“It’s quite amazing what Alex can accomplish with the software and tools we have available,” explains Lindsay. “The computer can track his eye movements to various selections or choices, and then his blinks can confirm what he wants. It’s time consuming, of course, but he can work out sentences, and we’ve even been able to build a system where he can write songs and create music.”
Which brings us to the real motivator behind the story this week. Alex, with the help of Lindsay and his mom Caroline, has been able to write a powerful new song called “Tennessee” and it’s been entered in a special competition for artists with rare diseases. The contest is an annual event put on by the EveryLife Foundation, and it recognizes painters, poets and songwriters with rare conditions.
“There were over 100 songs entered in the contest,” says Lindsay, “and Alex’s song is now among the 20 finalists. If you go to RareArtist.org you can see and hear all the entries, and starting on September 22nd, you can vote for Alex’s song! The theme of the song is Alex’s desire to someday visit Nashville, the epicenter of country music in America.
“It’s absolutely amazing what he’s been able to do with his music, and this song in particular. Remember, he can’t speak or play an instrument or anything. He uses the onscreen tools and eye movements to create lyrics and melody structure. And his mom Caroline will often play chord progressions on her guitar that he can respond to, saying Yes or No with eye blinks. It can take almost a month to work out one song, but he is determined and his spirit never wavers. It’s very inspiring to be a part of it.
“We actually recorded his new song, with a friend singing vocals and me on guitar. If you search Youtube for ‘Alex Yiu Tennessee” you’ll find it. I love all his songs from over the years, but this contest song has just knocked it out of the park.
“What’s amazing about Alex, even with his limitations, he is still an artist and musician, in every sense of the word. He doesn’t dwell on what’s happened to him, but rather he taps into the sensory experiences like touch and smell and sight to form his inspiration and express his musical vision. Working with Alex over the past 11 years has been a huge privilege, and we’re very excited to share his story and his new song with a larger audience. If you don’t mind taking a moment, go to the website and vote for his entry. Voting starts on Sept 22nd.”
HOT TIP OF THE WEEK:
I covered this a couple weeks ago, but it bears repeating. Our beloved Main Street landmark, The Ohio Theater, is reopening on Saturday after a fairly major upgrade to the auditorium floor and stage. The event is titled Rumble at the Ohio, and it is classic professional-style wrestling, with costumes and heroes and heels and the whole spectacle. But it will also feature music in the form of a very special “custom” band just for the occasion, Robert Reynolds & the Rumble Fish. The music starts at 6:00 if you want to catch it. This is the second time for wrestling at the Ohio, and if the first time is any indicator, it is sure to be a full-house, rockin’ great time! Other than that, the calendar looks like a classic music-filled weekend in Indiana’s Music City, with lots of our favorite local and regional bands taking the many small stages at our bars and venues. If you are looking for memorable weekend getaway filled with fun, food and music, you won’t find a better place than Madison!
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