Rex the Musical Savant

Lewis, Cathleen. (2008). Rex: The musical savant. Thomas Nelson Publishers.

Rex: The musical savant is narrated by the title character's mother. It is a true story of a young boy who became blind at an early age, and was later diagnosed with autism. Rex was born with an underdeveloped optic nerve and a brain cyst. The brain cyst was the cause of Rex's apraxia, a condition which makes it difficult for the sufferer to execute physical movements and speak, even when he possesses the desire to do so. However, Rex was gifted with an extraordinary ability to play music. He could repeat entire works of classical music on the piano, even while he struggled with basic social interactions and self-care.

Before Rex's birth, Lewis was a successful businesswoman who had lived abroad for many years. However, her marriage crumbled as a result of the strain raising Rex brought to her marriage. Over and over again, after Rex's birth she asked herself 'why' -- why is this happening to me and my son. Lewis struggled to get her son the needed help and support within the school system. But music was the only way Rex was able to connect with the rest of the world. Rex's father gave the boy a piano keyboard as a gift when he was two years old, and from then onward, all Rex wanted to do was play music.

Rex struggled to tie his shoes, but he could easily master the keyboard, even performing actions doctors said where impossible for him, given the limits of his disability, such as crossing one hand over the other. Eventually, Rex learned to speak, but he still struggled with normal social interactions. He was unable to understand abstract concepts such as 'ever.' If he was in a conversation and expected a certain response, he would become 'stuck' and constantly repeat himself, until the other speaker said what he expected him or her to say. However, behind the keys of a piano, Rex was not simply able to mimic music, but actually be spontaneous and creative -- even playing an unrehearsed tune in a variety of different ways, from the style of a Russian dance to a Chopin waltz when asked to do so by 60 Minutes news reporter Lesley Stahl. Lewis wondered: "How could Rex play music with such mastery and not be able to answer a simple question or tie his own shoelaces? How could his inability to control his body be so contradicted by the absolute control he has playing the piano? These questions, and so many more I'd asked myself since I brought him into the world, were all leading me to wonder what beautiful mystery had created the remarkable complexity that is Rex."

Rex has moved forward from the extreme restrictions of his disability. He has traveled extensively because of his musical talent. His mother was once told it was unlikely he would ever speak or talk. Now he does both, and even swims and rides a bike. Music encouraged Rex to use his hands in a dexterous manner, when before he would keep them balled up in fists. The sounds of music encouraged him to speak and interact with others. He has great ability, but also is extremely limited, still, in his ability to perform ordinary actions like tie his shoes. Lewis considers this an instruction in the mystery of the world.