Local News

In NH, young autistic boy a singing sensation

Posted: 03/17/11 at 6:45 pm

MANCHESTER, N.H. -- The sweet sound of music from inside this Manchester New Hampshire home comes from a young boy: Christopher Duffley.

Hearing him play, it's hard to remember that Christopher is only 9 years old, and that he's blind and autistic.

"He was born at one pound 12 ounces, 26 weeks,” Christine Duffley, Christopher’s mother, said. “He’s been totally blind since birth so he's had to learn the world in a much slower way, through his hands and through his heart."

Christopher's voice led him to start singing the national anthem at his elementary school, and it built up from there.

"The high school that my children go to, Christopher started singing it during volleyball games," Christine said.

And just this weekend he was invited by the local high school to sing the "Star Spangled Banner" before a hockey game at the Verizon Wireless Arena.

"I'm so excited and I never get nervous," he said.

Christopher's musical talent goes beyond singing and the piano: he plays the violin.

"I'm also good at drums,” he said.

And he uses his perfect pitch to keep his family's instruments in tune.

Christopher's mom says everyone is incredibly proud of him and his abilities.

“And we are so joyful to share him with others," she said.

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