Autism affects millions of people all over the world. The exact cause is unknown, and while there are treatments to help manage the condition, there is no cure. Many people who are on the autistic spectrum are high functioning and can live normal lives. Others struggle to do everyday things.
Autism is usually diagnosed early in life, and thanks to medical science, earlier diagnoses are now possible.
10-year-old Calum Courtney of Basildon, Essex, United Kingdom, has autism, but he and his family refuse to let the disorder define him. Instead, they are focused on the amazing things that Calum can do. One of those things is singing.
Calum has an amazing voice, and he isn’t afraid to show it off.
His aunt recently shared a video of the boy singing inside a store, and it took Facebook by storm.
Calum was standing in an aisle at a supermarket when he began to sing. At first, the other shoppers weren’t sure what to think, but then, they heard his beautiful voice and couldn’t help but stop and listen closely.
He chose to sing the song “Who’s Lovin You” by Smokey Robinson, and he nailed it.
If you don’t know the song, the lyrics are:
“When I had you here
I treated you bad
And wrong my dear
And since
Yeah, since you been away
Dontcha know
I sit around
With my head hangin’ down
And I wonder
Who’s lovin’ you
I, I, I, I, I should have never ever
Never made you cry
And since
Girl since you been gone
Dontcha know
I sit around
With my head hangin’ down
And oh, I wonder
Who’s lovin’ you”
“Life without love
Is oh so lonely
I don’t think that I
I’m gonna make it
All my life
All my life, yeah
Belongs to you only
Come on and take it girl
Come on and take it
Because
All, all I
All I can do, all I can do
Since you been gone is cry
And it’s you, you, oooh
Yeah, I wonder
And worry about what I do
Don’t you know I
Sit around
Oh, with my head hangin’ down
And wonder
Who’s lovin’ you”
Calum’s mother, Tupney Courtney, said his autism doesn’t have a negative effect on his singing, and she actually believes that it helps make him more confident.
She explained:
“Calum has high-functioning autism. For Calum, this means blurred social boundaries, struggles with school, and difficulties with friendships, but also that enables him to have no fear to get up and belt out a song. We describe his autism to him as a superpower; it may take a little from other areas of life, but it’s given him the superpower of music.”
Calum’s love and talent for music aren’t limited to singing.
His mother said he taught himself to play the drums when he was just 18 months old. He performs at venues all over the UK and has even performed alongside some big stars.
Calum didn’t realize how good he was until he watched the video. He simply loves to sing and wanted to do it in front of people. Now that he knows how amazing he sounds, his confidence will likely grow.
Calum is so good that his video caught the attention of a songwriter and producer who wants to work with him on a charity album this winter.
This little boy is going places, and he definitely isn’t letting autism hold him back. He is an inspiration to anyone with a disability, and while he may be young, he is going to do big things one day.
We may see Calum rocking out on a big stage someday, and we can all look back and remember how he started out singing in the middle of a store. He’s a true inspiration to many.
Watch his memorable store performance below.
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